The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is alerting residents about a growing trend of scams in which fraudsters pose as police officers to steal money.
Victims have reported receiving phone calls from people claiming to be OPP members, using fake names, titles, and badge numbers. Scammers have instructed victims to withdraw large sums of money and send it through cryptocurrency or hand it over directly, with losses ranging from $6,000 to $13,000. The names and ranks provided by the callers do not match any real OPP members.
Police warn the public to protect themselves: officers will never request money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, nor threaten arrest or demand immediate payment. Residents are advised not to provide personal or banking information and to consult a trusted friend or family member before acting under pressure.
Anyone unsure about a call can contact the OPP non-emergency line at 1‑888‑310‑1122 to confirm the call, report suspicious activity, or speak about fraud concerns. Victims are also encouraged to report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1‑888‑495‑8501 or online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
The OPP continues to monitor these scams and reminds the community that vigilance is the strongest defense against financial fraud.
