Crooks demand payment for the safe return of a missing feline in Guelph-Eramosa Township
In Wellington County, Ontario, a resident posted photos of a missing husky-shepherd mix cat online on August 31. Unfortunately, the incident took a suspicious turn when the resident received an email claiming that the pet had been found.
The email contained a digitally altered image of the same photo the resident had posted, creating a false sense of authenticity. However, the resident found the situation suspicious and chose to contact the police before sending any money.
The scammer demanded $100 for the dog's return, but the resident was asked for a $250 payment via iTunes gift card instead. The scammer's motives were clear: they were simply preying on the victim's emotional state.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have issued a warning about such scams, urging caution with unsolicited messages requesting money or personal information. They believe that the person who contacted the woman never had the dog.
Similar incidents have been reported in the area. For instance, Guelph Police received a report of a similar scam on the same day.
Common red flags of such scams include spelling errors, contact during unusual hours, messages that create a false sense of urgency, or suspicious links. The OPP advise that all fraud incidents, whether successful or not, should be reported to police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
In a positive turn of events, another incident involved a lost cat returning home on its own, with police present. This serves as a reminder that not all lost pet incidents are the result of scams, and it's always best to remain vigilant and cautious.
The OPP continue to investigate the pet scam incidents and encourage residents to report any suspicious activities to their local police force.
