Cryptocurrency fraud is once again making headlines in Trail, after a local woman lost thousands of dollars to an online scam.
The latest reported case dates back to Monday, March 10, when a 66-year-old Trail woman contacted the Trail and Greater District RCMP to report she had been defrauded of $8,800.
According to police, the victim had been investing through a publicly accessible website that encouraged her to continue adding funds until she had deposited $8,800.
When she attempted to withdraw her money, the site told her the funds were “locked up” and inaccessible.
An officer advised her to stop sending money and referred her to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Police say the funds are not recoverable.
This case adds to a troubling string of recent cryptocurrency frauds reported in the region.
In early April, a Rossland man lost $322,000 in a long-term online investment scam involving multiple fake representatives and fraudulent trading platforms.
In the same week, a Montrose woman lost $4,000 after being lured in by a scam that mirrored legitimate crypto investing apps.
Days earlier, a Fruitvale man was defrauded of $190,000.
He believed he was investing in a promising cryptocurrency opportunity, only to realize it was all fabricated once communication from the fraudsters ceased.
In March, a Warfield father lost $7,000 in a phone scam where a caller posing as a police officer claimed his son had been arrested and needed bail money.
The man sent $6,000 via e-transfer and another $1,000 in gift cards before realizing it was a scam.
Trail RCMP continue to urge residents to exercise extreme caution when approached with any investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency or high-pressure financial requests.
"We hope others can learn from this and avoid investing in cryptocurrency altogether," said Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. "Greater oversight and regulation is needed to help prevent this kind of fraud."
Anyone who suspects they may have been targeted is encouraged to contact their local RCMP detachment and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
