Officers from the Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating complaints of a new variation of scams involving requests for money orders to facilitate the transfer of “prize money” to the victim.
In this case the victim is contacted by telephone advising that they have won a prize, usually of a million dollars or more, and the caller states that the victim needs to send a money order to pay for the driver to deliver the prize. The amount “requested” has ranged anywhere from $235 to $565.99.
The caller gives a name and address in the United States and has represented himself as operating on behalf of Readers Digest.
If the victim receives a voice mail and returns the call he or she is told that the money has been transferred to the Federal Reserve and a larger sum is needed to release and deliver the prize.
Lanark County OPP urges the public not to forward funds or release banking or personal details to any unsolicited requests for funds.
Anyone having any information in regard to these incidents is asked to contact the Lanark County Detachment (OPP) using the toll free OPP line at 1 888 310 1122 or use the confidential Lanark County Crime Stoppers line at 1 800 222 8477.
