The Peterborough Police Service is warning residents about a new fraud circulating in our area scamming international post secondary students into paying a fake “Welcome to Canada” tax.
In late September 2018 an international student living in Peterborough received an automated phone call advising he needed to pay a “Welcome to Canada Tax.” A live person then came onto the call and told the student there is a Canadian law saying he had to pay a $2,500 tax for coming into the county and if he did not pay he would be arrested.
The student then received a second call from someone impersonating a Peterborough Police officer and told the student he had two hours to pay or get arrested. The student also provided the fake officer with his Social Insurance Number.
The student withdrew the $2,500 from his bank account and went to a local bit coin machine in Peterborough where he entered the QR code he was given and transferred the money to the scammers. The phony officer told the student he would call back but the student did not receive any further phone calls.
We remind students that this phone call is a scam. It is important not to respond to the caller or transfer any money to persons whom you do not know. It is also important not to provide any personal or banking information over the phone without first verifying the callers identity.
When in doubt, hang up, call a trusted family member, friend, staff at your school or call the police.The Peterborough Police Service continues to partner with both postsecondary institutions and local school boards in Peterborough along with the New Canadians Centre to provide education and awareness to students and new residents.
If you have been the victim of a scam, meaning you have handed over money, please report the incident to the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 or via our online reporting system http://crimereporting.peterboroughpolice.ca/
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
