Chatham-Kent Police are warning residents of an online “grant application” fraud.
Last week, a local man reported to police that he had been defrauded of $700.
The man applied for a grant that was advertised on Facebook, and provided personal information through Messenger.
The ‘agent’ overseeing the grant process contacted the man, advising that he had been awarded the grant. In order to receive the money, he was asked to provide $700 in gift cards to cover the tax associated with the grant. The man purchased the gift cards and sent the information to the ‘agent’ as requested, even though the cashier tried to warn the man that he may be getting scammed.
The Chatham-Kent Police would like to remind citizens that payment using gift cards is a common scam technique. Scammers are very clever and crafty, so please be very cautious of anyone asking for gift cards, money or Bitcoin. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments.
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