OPP investigate computer scam after victim handed over $320K in gold bars
CBC
A senior from Perth County has lost $320,000 because of a computer pop-up scam, police say.
Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are now asking the public for help identifying the suspects who picked up $80,000 in cash and 100-g gold bars worth over $240,000 from the victim's home as a part of the scam.
Police say the scam began in November 2024 when the victim clicked on a pop-up window on their computer. The pop-up directed the victim to call a provided number, which connected her to a person pretending to be a Microsoft representative. The fake representative told the victim her finances have been compromised.
Police say the scammer then directed the victim to withdraw the cash and buy the gold bars from an online company.
Jill Johnson, a media spokesperson for Perth County OPP, said after the gold was eventually delivered to the victim's house, suspects went to the victim's house to pick up the cash and gold.
"[The victim] believed that they had to withdraw their money and keep it safe," Johnson said, adding the people picking up the money told the victim they were going to deposit it at the "Bank of Canada" for her, for safekeeping as a courtesy.
Johnson said it's uncommon to see a scam involving actual gold bars.
"It's not a common scam to include gold bars. We've seen everything from gift cards and cash, obviously different things like that, but this is definitely unique."
Provincial police are hoping the public will help them identify the individuals seen picking up the gold and cash from the victim's house.
They are being described as men between the ages of 25 and 35 years old, short in stature with short dark hair.
Police say the men were seen driving a white Lexus sedan and a smaller dark coloured sedan while doing the pickups.
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