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FROM/DE: Anti-Rackets Branch DATE: February 10, 2025

Love, Actually… or Lies?

OPP warns of red flags in romance scams this Valentine's Day

(OTTAWA, ON) - With Valentine's Day approaching, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is raising awareness about romance fraud, which continues to cause significant emotional and financial harm to Canadians. In 2024, Canadians reported losing over $58.4 million to romance fraud and $310 million to investment fraud, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Increasingly, romance fraud involves or leads to cryptocurrency investment schemes, which can [substantially] increase victims' financial losses.

Those behind these schemes are increasingly using sophisticated tactics, including artificial intelligence to manipulate victims with fake voices and images. Bad faith actors establish trust and emotional intimacy through fake profiles on social media, dating platforms and other online channels. Once trust is gained, victims are pressured into sending money or investing in fraudulent business ventures.

How the schemes work

Romance schemes often begin through fake profiles or unsolicited messages on dating apps, social media or email. Once trust is established, those behind the schemes often make the following requests for:

- Money for travel, medical emergencies or family assistance, often claiming urgency

- Help receiving money, potentially leading the victim to unknowingly participate in criminal money laundering

- Participation in a business venture, such as registering a business or opening a bank account

- Cryptocurrency investments, where bad faith actors persuade victims to transfer funds through cryptocurrency ATMs or online platforms

Red flags to watch for

Romance schemes often can be identified when:

- Someone you've never met in person declares their love early in the relationship

- The bad actor quickly wants to move the conversation to a private or alternate communication platform such as a messaging app or email

- They consistently provide excuses to avoid meeting in person, often claiming to work overseas

- The message is poorly written or oddly worded, or sometimes addresses you with the wrong name

- The bad actor acts distressed or angry to pressure you into sending money, often under the pretense of an emergency

- They discourage you from discussing the relationship with friends or family, attempting to isolate you from those who might raise concerns

Reporting fraud

If you suspect fraud, contact:

- Your local police

- OPP at 1-888-310-1122

- Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca

- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre via the online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501

- For more CAFC resources, visit: What to do if you're a victim of fraud

Media availability

An OPP expert is available for interviews to provide further insight into this issue.



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Contact Information

John Armit

Constable Detective

Anti-Rackets Branch (ARB)

Ontario Provincial Police

John.armit@opp.ca



OPP X, Facebook, and Instagram

CAFC X and Facebook

FROM: Provincial Traffic Operations DATE: February 7, 2025

A SAFE SNOWMOBILE SEASON COMES DOWN TO RISK-FREE RIDING

(ORILLIA, ON) – Ahead of Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are reminding snowmobilers that making each ride risk-free gives them their best chance of safely making it through the season.

The risky driving behavior's that lead to snowmobile fatalities are the same ones year after year, as reflected in the OPP's data.
Over the past 10 snowmobile seasons (2014/15 to 2023/24),145 snowmobilers have lost their lives in OPP jurisdictions. Excessive speed, in particular driving too fast for the conditions, as well as alcohol impairment were among the leading causes or contributing factors in the fatalities. Driver inattention and lack of helmet use are among other factors that have cost snowmobilers their lives in the last decade.

Every year, snowmobilers take unnecessary risks on frozen waterways. With close to 40 per cent of the 145 fatalities occurring on frozen lakes and rivers, these locations account for the highest number of snowmobile deaths.
Riders are reminded that frozen lakes and rivers carry an inherent degree of uncertainty about how safe they are and the only way to ensure one's safety is to avoid frozen waterways altogether.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment on the part of OFSC Snowmobile Clubs, Ontario snowmobilers have access to an expansive network of trails. Through the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG), riders can obtain real-time trail status information to help them choose a safe, enjoyable trail for their next riding adventure.

Snowmobilers are reminded that it's against the law to access and ride on OFSC trails that are unavailable (all those highlighted in red on the ITG).

With Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week running from February 10 to 17, 2025, riders are encouraged to get up to date on what they need to do to keep themselves, their passengers and fellow riders safe throughout the season.

For more information about the OFSC and snowmobile safety, visit: https://www.ofsc.on.ca/safety/.

DID YOU KNOW?


• In addition to road and marine patrol, the OPP conducts patrols by snowmobile and off-road vehicle throughout the province.
• OPP Snowmobile, ATV and Vessel Enforcement (S.A.V.E.) Teams are mobile, four-season teams that target high-risk operator behavior's on trails and waterways, as part of their efforts to reduce the risk of collisions, fatalities and injuries.

OPP Contact: Sergeant Paul Beaton
Provincial Motorized Snow Vehicle Coordinator
Phone: (519) 939-0563
Email: Paul.A.beaton@opp.ca
OFSC Contact: Lisa Stackhouse
Director of Operations
Phone: (705) 739-7669 (ext. 235)
Or: (705) 717-7986
Email: lstackhouse@ofsc.on.ca

CAFC Article on Fixed Income Fraud

The Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre is receiving reports from Canadian based insurance companies and financial institutions about brand spoofing fixed income investment fraud. Reporting suggests this is part of a broader scam using multiple well-known company names and targeting investors across Canada.

This fraud involves Canadians receiving fraudulent offers that appear to come from the actual companies offering higher than normal returns on fixed income investment products such as Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC) and saving bonds. Typically, these offers materialize after a consumer searches for an investment opportunity online and enters their information into an “investment finder" type ad. Consumer will then receive calls from the fraudulent operators claiming to be a legitimate company and offering a high return fixed income opportunity.

For any investment opportunities, investors are urged to verify information by looking up the company's website directly and/or calling the company at the phone number listed on its website. Do not rely on the website and phone number included in the unsolicited materials provided to you.

What is a GIC?

A Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC) is a financial product normally between an investment and insurance company which guarantees a return. A GIC is normally used for retirement.

What is a Savings Bond?

A fixed income investment that allows you to earn a return on your investment by lending to the issuer for a period of time.

Warning Signs

• Investment opportunities with higher than normal returns.
• Beware of ads or websites that offer to assist with finding an investment
• Beware of telephone, email or social media investment offers.
• Displays of urgency to make an investment, so you don't miss out.
• Beware of spoofed domains that redirect you to a different website.

How to Protect Yourself

Before you put money into any investments you should
• Check to see if the company or website are registered by visiting the Canadian Securities Administrators website
• Do your own research. Try to verify the investment opportunity with a credible source.

Fixed Income Investment Fraud

• Avoid putting yourself at risk. Providing your contact information such as your phone number and/or email address to unverified websites could result in fraudulent offers.
• Contact your provincial securities regulator to verify investment opportunities.
• Check investor alerts
Anyone who suspects they have been the target of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the CAFC's online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

FROM: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: February 6, 2025

OPP AND CAFC PARTNER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF FIXED INCOME INVESTMENT FRAUD

(MIDLAND,ON)- Members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) are continuing to raise the awareness for North Simcoe residents of the various scams that they may encounter on the telephone or online.

The Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre is receiving reports from Canadian based insurance companies and financial institutions about brand spoofing fixed income investment fraud. Reporting suggests this is part of a broader scam using multiple well-known company names and targeting investors across Canada.

This fraud involves Canadians receiving fraudulent offers that appear to come from the actual companies offering higher than normal returns on fixed income investment products such as Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC) and saving bonds. Typically, these offers materialize after a consumer searches for an investment opportunity online and enters their information into an "investment finder" type ad. Consumer will then receive calls from the fraudulent operators claiming to be a legitimate company and offering a high return fixed income opportunity.

No matter your level of cyber fitness, fraudsters will stop at nothing to steal from their victims. Your best protection against cyber threats is to learn more about them and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

To learn more about common tactics used by cyber criminals, explore the Fraudster's toolbox infographic

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway.

CAFC Team

partners@antifraudcentre.ca

Fraud: Recognize. Reject. Report.

#kNOwFraud

Follow us on Twitter (@canantifraud) and Facebook (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre)

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Media Officer

Provincial Constable David Hobson

///relations.fatigue.appraise

T-705-733-5440 E- david.hobson@opp.ca

Social Media OPP Central Region X / OPP Central Region Facebook / OPP Central Region Instagram

The Southern Georgian Bay snowmobile patrol unit was on hand yesterday at the Georgian Bay Snow Riders GBSR club house along with Municipal and Provincial dignitaries to show their support for the local "Rescue Airboat" fund raiser and to provide some educational points for snowmobilers as they passed by on the trail.