Waterloo Regional Police are warning the public of an extortion scam targeting international Chinese students at post-secondary institutions in Waterloo Region.
Since October 2022, officers from Waterloo Regional Police Service have been investigating two reported incidents, police said in a news release.
The financial loss to the victims has totalled approximately $245,000.
The extortion scam involves fraudsters contacting the victims through an automated phone message impersonating Chinese officials.
The fraudsters often advise the victim that they have been linked to crimes in China in order to coerce the victim into a series of actions, including, in some cases, pretending to have been a victim of a crime, such as a kidnapping.
The victims are threatened that failure to take these actions would result in their arrest or harm to their families.
At the same time, the victim’s family in China is contacted by the fraudsters claiming to be Chinese officials and told that the victim is in danger, leading to a demand for money to ensure their safety.
The investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.
Police say do not send money and follow these tips:
- Do not follow instructions from automated callers speaking Mandarin
- Any legitimate contact from Chinese authorities will be through the local police
- Do not give out personal information, especially banking information, over the phone
- Ask for the information in writing
- Hang up
- Your local police are here to help you. You can reach out to the police if you feel threatened
If you have been an extortion scam victim, file a complaint with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and make a report with your local police service.
