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Canadians lose $17 million through catfish scams in 2016

If you are looking for love online, you might want to think twice.

According to RCMP, 748 victims lost over $17 million to scammers pretending to be in love in 2016 alone.

Scammers create fake online profiles on dating websites and social media, and attempt to gain their victim's affection and trust. After a long and drawn out online “relationship,” the fraudsters are able to scam large sums of money.

The RCMP encourages people to be careful when online dating.

Watch for someone who:

  • Says they love you but haven’t met you
  • Claims to live nearby but is working overseas
  • Says they are facing an emergency, such as a sick family member, and need help covering costs

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam:

  • Contact your bank and place a stop payment on any cheque or money transfer
  • Report it to your local police
  • File a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre


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