B.C. senior defrauded of $7.5M in crypto scam, police say
A B.C. senior was defrauded of $7.5 million in a months-long cryptocurrency scam, according to authorities.
The Burnaby RCMP described the "elaborate fraud" in a warning issued Thursday, calling the case "one of the largest personal scams the detachment has ever investigated."
The victim told police she was first contacted through a text message in Chinese in the Spring of 2022 by someone asking her about her "personal business history," Mounties said, noting that the woman speaks Mandarin.
“We are sharing this story to protect other people from falling victim to similar scams. Fraudsters are often changing tactics. In this case it appears they were able to tailor the scam to target this victim in particular," said Const. Philip Ho in the media release.
Over a period of months, the victim and the scammer communicated frequently via text, phone, and a chatting app and cultivating what the RCMP described as a friendly, trusting relationship. Eventually, the woman was convinced to invest millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
Checking her investments online, they appeared to be legitimate, but police say this was part of the ruse and the apps the senior downloaded were "spoofed" to resemble recognizable trading platforms.
When she tried to withdraw her money, she was unable to, according to authorities who say "the person she was communicating with disappeared."
But that wasn't the end of it.
Someone using a different name reached out to the victim, offering to help her recover her money.
"The victim, who was pressured and threatened throughout the course of the scam, invested more, but unfortunately this was also a scam," according to police.
The victim reported her ordeal to police in December of 2022.
“These scammers went to great lengths over many months to defraud this senior and convince her these were legitimate investments,” Ho said.
“These types of frauds often go unreported, but it’s important that victims come forward to police so we can investigate and help support victims, who are at a higher risk of being re-victimized once they have been defrauded by a scam.”
No one has been arrested or charged in the case, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Burnaby RCMP is urging people to familiarize themselves with some of the warning signs of scams. Information on how to identify potential frauds is available online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.