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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Police warn of phone scam; dozens contacted about bogus $2.5-M prize
A man using a Jamaican accent is preying on gullible Winnipeggers.
Winnipeg police said they’ve received more than a dozen complaints about people being contacted on the phone, that they are the winners of a $2.5 million prize and a Mercedes but before they can collect, they have to forward money first.
Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said the most recent victim was an elderly woman who sent $400 to the suspect and was contacted a short time later asking for an additional $13,000 to cover the taxes on the bogus prize.
But after sending the money, she became suspicious and contacted the police who were able to contact the mail courier and halt the delivery.
Michalyshen said the suspect has been active in Winnipeg since November, adding it’s not known how many of the dozen other victims may have actually sent money to the suspect.
Michalyshen said anyone receiving these types of call should immediately hang up and then contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. He said anyone who suspects they’ve already been victimized should also contact the centre immediately.
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