Public Safety Alert: Online Scams Targeting Small Businesses

Region of Peel – Peel Regional Police would like to make the public aware of an advance-fee scam where criminals have created and used fake social media accounts that appear almost identical to those of some elected municipal government officials, in attempts to defraud small business owners. 

Over the past week, investigators have learned of several incidents of concern where a member of the public believed they were sent a message from a municipal government official on a social media platform claiming that they qualified for a COVID-19 relief grant specific to small businesses. Those operating the fake accounts made requests for prepaid gift cards.

Within these messages were convenient links that requested personal information along with a request for funds prior to relief funds being released. In many Fraud related cases, people in vulnerable situations are coerced, manipulated and taken advantage of for the profit of the fraudster.

Peel Regional Police are currently investigating these circumstances and wish to stress that

public education and awareness are paramount in preventing the continuation of this type of fraud. Consider these helpful tips:

• Do your research. Verify the organization or person. 
• Do not be afraid to say no.

• Any requests for money should be treated with caution.
• Avoid clicking on convenient links and source the service separate and apart from what is provided in an email or message.
•  Do not prepay someone you have never met for services or products by way of Interac e-transfer or by prepaid gift cards.
• Do not send currency via Bitcoin ABM at the direction of someone you do not know and trust.

Peel Regional Police are dedicated to the protection of individuals and groups in our community. We encourage our community to learn more about these and other trends currently affecting Canadians by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Peel Regional Police website.

Anyone with information about a similar incident is asked to call investigators with the 22 Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 2233. Anonymous information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact the on-duty Media Relations Officer at (905) 453-2121, ext. 4027.

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N/R # 20-295

Inc. #  20-0339306

Peel Regional Police – A Safer Community Together

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