Fraud Alert: Two men charged after posing as bank fraud investigators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 11:05 a.m.

(Ottawa) — Members of the Organized Fraud Unit have been investigating a series of incidents where individuals have posed as bank fraud investigators. They often call from fake phone numbers or call display titles, purporting to work for financial institutions. Once they have gained their victims' trust, they trick them into believing their bank accounts have been compromised, obtain their banking pins and/or passwords, and instruct them to leave their cards out for a “courier” to retrieve. Once the fraudster obtains the cards, they will withdraw cash from their accounts and make as many purchases as possible before their victims catch on.

As a result of the subsequent investigations, a 24-year-old Ottawa man and a 19-year-old Ottawa man have been arrested and charged with:

• Fraud Exceeding $5000
• Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
• Use/Possess Credit Card Obtained by Offence
• Possess Property or Thing Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5000
• Fraud Not Exceeding $5000.

Police believe there may be more victims. If you believe you are a victim or know of someone who may be a victim, please contact Det. McDonald, at 613-236-1222, extension 5292 or by email at [email protected].

For the latest fraud trends, how to protect yourself, and information on what to do if you believe you are a victim of fraud, you can access the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Stay anonymous and call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a report online at crimestoppers.ca.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:     

Media Relations

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext.  5366