Members of the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a scam they say turned into threats against the victim.
On Jan. 21, officers received a fraud report and discovered the victim initially responded to an advertisement on social media to receive payment in exchange for providing photographs to create art.
Police say once the alleged received payment, a smaller amount was supposed to be sent back to confirm receipt. The victim suspected fraud and contacted police.
“Since then, communication has continued, including escalating threats to the safety of the victim. According to the investigators, the money mule scam is suspected,” said OPP Const. Joe Brisbois.
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The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said criminal networks are recruiting unsuspecting victims to receive and transfer money from other victims.
According to the organization’s website, a money mule is someone recruited by fraudsters to serve as a middle person to transfer stolen money.
The process is known as money laundering, which is a crime. The money mule may or may not know they are a pawn in a larger network. When a mule moves money, it becomes harder to identify the fraudsters from the victims.
“Being used as a money mule victimizes you, victimizes others and can get you tied into a money laundering scheme and could result in facing criminal charges,” added Brisbois.
