Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are issuing a public warning after a Wellington County resident lost $50,000 in a romance scam.
On September 25, at 11 a.m., the Wellington County OPP Detachment received a report from a Guelph-Eramosa resident who had developed an online relationship with an individual from another country. Over time, the victim was persuaded to send a substantial amount of money, which ultimately totaled $50,000.
Police say a family member recognized the situation as fraudulent and intervened, leading to the matter being reported. Despite the intervention, the victim had already suffered a significant financial loss.
Investigators have not yet identified or traced the scammer. Authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant when engaging in online relationships, particularly when financial requests are made.
The OPP stresses the importance of skepticism in digital interactions and encourages anyone who suspects fraudulent activity to immediately report it to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.