Police say a Guelph woman lost nearly $5,000 in a Bitcoin scam.
The victim in her 20s attended the police station Thursday to report the loss. She had received a call from someone claiming to be from Canada Post and alleging the victim was under investigation for money laundering. She was told to clear her name she needed to withdraw cash from her bank and send it via Bitcoin, and that she would later be reimbursed by police.
Through a series of transactions at a Bitcoin ATM she deposited $4,950. The unknown suspects then asked the victim to purchase Apple gift cards, but when she attended a store the clerk advised she was being scammed and should make a report to police. Bitcoin transactions are very difficult to trace and the chances of recovering lost funds is almost nil.
Police remind the public that no police officer or government official will ever instruct you to purchase and send gift cards or submit payment via Bitcoin.
