A Guelph-area senior’s trust turned into a $250,000 trap after falling prey to a cunning online scammer they met last year. Wellington County OPP say the “elderly victim” shelled out roughly $20,000 a month since February 2024, duped into buying gift cards for a shadowy figure lurking behind a screen.
“Month after month, they were told to hit up local stores, grab gift cards, and hand over the codes,” police revealed in a news release. The scam ran like clockwork—until the victim’s suspicions finally kicked in, prompting a call to the cops. Now, the Wellington OPP are hot on the trail, hunting for clues in a case that’s left a senior reeling.
This wasn’t just a one-off grab. Experts warn it’s a classic romance or trust scam playbook: a fake connection blooms online—think dating apps or social media—then comes the sob story or shady “investment” pitch. Red flags? Love-bombing from a stranger, dodging face-to-face meets, or pushing for cash via odd channels like gift cards or crypto ATMs.
Spot the Scam, Stop the Sting
- Too Fast, Too Lovey: Declaring devotion before meeting? Pump the brakes.
- App Swap: Urging a shift to private chats? Sketchy.
- No-Show Excuses: “I’m overseas” while avoiding plans? Big nope.
- Word Salad: Sloppy messages or wrong names? Fishy vibes.
- Cash Crunch Pressure: Emergency pleas for money, hushed up? Run.
The OPP’s pleading: if you’ve got intel, dial 1-888-310-1122. Want to stay off the radar? Hit Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s also on deck—call 1-888-495-8501 or report online. One senior’s loss is a stark wake-up call: trust online comes with a catch.