CTV News investigation gets results for potential victim of Facebook fraud
A CTV News investigation into a Facebook page purporting to belong to the winner of the largest lotto prize ever awarded in British Columbia has led to the account being suspended, and connected a woman in need on the other side of the world with a generous Canadian who was actually willing to help.
Christine Lauzon is a real Burnaby woman, who really claimed a $70-million Lotto Max prize in October.
A Facebook page in Lauzon’s name popped up shortly after and began posting promises of free money to anyone who could demonstrate the need.
When CTV News learned of the page and contacted the B.C. Lottery Corporation, the agency reached out to Lauzon, who confirmed the account using her name and photo was a fake.
“I have volunteerily decided to help people financially,” one post on the imposter’s page said.
A woman in Fiji, who CTV News is not identifying to protect her privacy, replied to the post asking for $1,000 to fix her roof.
“When there’s heavy rain, the water always enters the house. Like half of the house it enters inside,” the woman said in a video call from her home.
The would-be scammer actually offered to send the woman $100,000, but only if she would deposit $300 in a Bitcoin wallet first.
The potential victim was trying to raise the money when she was contacted by CTV News and alerted to the fact the Facebook page and the generous offer were not legitimate.
“I was really happy because nobody has ever offered me that amount of money before,” she said, describing how she felt when she thought she would be getting the life-changing gift.
“It’s unfortunate that someone targeted an individual in that way,” BCLC said in a statement.
“BCLC cares deeply about our players and we encourage them to contact us if they have questions or concerns. Where there is suspected criminal activity, we advise them to contact police.”
After CTV News contacted Facebook, the social media giant took immediate action.
“Thanks for reaching out. Upon review of this account, we’ve removed it for violating our Community Standards for misrepresentation,” Facebook said in a statement.
Travis Shawcross, CEO of Ontario health-care company Pioneer Health Care, saw the CTV News story about the attempted scam and wanted to do something for the potential victim in Fiji who still didn’t have the money for the repairs to her house.
“I said, ‘Well, you know, it’s a thousand bucks. If that’s going to fix her roof and she’s going to be happy, I’ll be more than happy to do it.’ So, that’s what I did,” Shawcross said.
The woman says she will put the money towards upgrades to her home that will keep the rainwater out.
“He helped me. He already sent me the money. A thousand dollars to help rebuild my house,” she said. “And I’m so glad and happy for Mr. Travis’s help.”
Asked why he decided to be so generous with a complete stranger on the other side of the world, Shawcross said he can relate to the feeling of needing a little help.
“I’ve had nothing before. I know what it’s like to have nothing. In 2005, I was in a shelter in Surrey. I lived there for a month because I had nothing and I was trying to get back on my feet,” he said. “Through whatever decisions I’ve made over the last 18 years, I’ve become very successful. I’ve been very blessed and now it’s time for me to give back.”
His generosity has restored one stranger’s faith in the kindness of Canadians.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
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.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.