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Lethbridge Police station. (Lethbridge News Now)

LPS warns about money transfer scam after local lost $11,000

Jun 3, 2020 | 10:53 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is warning the public about a scam.

They were informed on Tuesday, June 2 that a local 24-year-old man has been scammed out of $11,000.

The man received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed the man was under investigation for money laundering.

“The caller instructed him to take money out of his account and deposit it into a safe bitcoin account using a bitcoin ATM located along the 400 block of Stafford Drive North,” reads a media release from LPS.

The victim was told police officers would meet with him in the following days and provide a cheque for the full amount if it was proven he was not involved in any illegal activity.

When the man went to the bitcoin machine, he noticed that several other people were also in line.

“Shortly after making his deposit, Brinks employees arrived on scene, and upon hearing the conversations of the people in line, instructed them to hang up as they were being scammed.”

Police are asking the public to be wary of phone calls from anyone claiming to represent law enforcement, the Canada Revenue Agency, or other government agencies claiming that you are under investigation or owe money.

This is especially important if the caller is demanding payment in the form of bitcoin transfer, gift cards, pre-paid credit cards, or wire transfers.

“These tactics are not used by police or for tax collection purposes.”

“Do not provide any personal information or funds and do not return calls to any number the caller provides. To confirm the legitimacy of a call, contact the agency the caller claims to represent directly.”

If you have been the victim of this scam, LPS says to call them at 403-328-4444.