Lambton OPP has started a pilot project focused on fraud that has caught the attention of the Bank of Canada and its investigators.
Detachment Commander, Insp. Chris Avery shared the news with Petrolia council at its recent meeting.
He said he's excited about the unique endeavor.
"Overall, frauds were up in Canada to 638 million in 2024, versus 578 million in 2023," said Avery. "I've heard some say, 'well... really it's a victimless crime because it's just money, it's just paper and it moves,' but we've been seeing a lot of people that have been impacted in so many more ways than finance."
Which is why more education and cooperation with businesses is needed to prevent the scammers from succeeding.
"I've seen people that have had a farm that's bought and paid for, [who are] very lonely because a spouse has passed away and they've tied up with someone they've never met on the internet and remortgaged the farm and sent money to these people," Avery said. "Sometimes, people won't like to listen to family members that are talking about this, because [they believe] they've found the love of their life."
Insp. Avery shared more than one local example.
"I got a call from someone I've known for years, and he was convinced that his daughter had been arrested and he needed me to help him through the bail process," said Avery. "I said, 'hold the presses, I'll be there within 10 minutes,' and before I got there he had given his visa card to these people."
Fortunately, Avery said they were able to call the bank and stop the payment.
The pilot project is being run by a crypto currency expert at Lambton OPP.
"[The lead officer] likes frauds, he's incredibly tech savvy and he has made contact with local banks and given them his number," Avery said. "If someone comes in [to the bank] and they're going to withdraw [money]... if the bank staff can recognize when there's something suspicious happening, they can refer that client to our officer."
He said the officer can meet with them and make sure the people they're dealing with are legitimate.
"Since we've started this, since the beginning of the year, we've saved $160,000 for residents in Lambton County. [The lead officer is] expecting by the end of the year, if the trend keeps up, we're going to save people in the county around $600,000. That's [money] not going to fraud people."
Avery said he's been told the program -- which started in Petrolia -- could go Canada-wide.
Further details about the possible implementation were not shared.