Latest news with #JeremyRattray
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
Charges laid in cryptocurrency fraud after Calgary senior loses more than $300,000
Calgary police released details on Wednesday of a cryptocurrency scam that resulted in a senior losing more than $300,000. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) wrapped up an investigation that spanned multiple years, by laying charges against Jeremy Rattray, 34, of Brossard, Que., earlier this month. Rattray is facing one count of fraud over $5,000, one count of laundering the proceeds of crime and two counts of identity theft. The victim of the scam was contacted in June 2022, police said on Wednesday, by a man posing as her grandson, claiming he'd been in a car collision and was facing drug-related charges. The victim was instructed to contact the impersonator's lawyer, who was also part of the scam, and directed to make daily payments over a six-week period to secure bail and cover fictitious legal costs. More than 300 separate deposits were made by the victim, from her bank account into bitcoin ATMs. Police were contacted after the victim became suspicious over the course of the scam. Calgary police said its cybercrime and blockchain investigations team identified a suspect living in Quebec, whom they believed was responsible for the scam. In March 2023, Calgary police investigators searched a residence in Brossard, Que., and a business in Montreal, assisted by the Longueuil Police Service, which led to charges being laid earlier this month. The CPS said on Wednesday the public should be suspicious of unexpected or unusual phone calls, especially ones that demand some form of urgent action. Police also advised people not to share personal details and financial information, or to send money, to unknown callers. "Fraudsters are increasingly impersonating family members, lawyers or members of law enforcement agencies to manipulate victims, particularly seniors, into believing a loved one is in trouble," said Acting Staff Sgt. Gary Novokowsky from CPS's cybercrime team. "If you receive a call asking you to withdraw funds or send money to unknown individuals, hang up and do not engage with the person." Rattray is next scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 12.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Quebec man charged after Calgary senior scammed out of more than $300K in crypto fraud
A Quebec man has been charged in relation to a cryptocurrency scam that resulted in a Calgary senior losing more than $300,000. In June 2022, the senior was contacted by someone posing as her grandson. He said he had been in a vehicle collision and faced drug-related charges. He asked the victim to contact his lawyer, who was also part of the scam, and asked her to make daily payments to help him make bail and pay a lawyer. Over six weeks, the victim was directed by the fake lawyer to deposit large amounts of money from her bank account into Bitcoin ATMs. She made more than 300 deposits of in excess of $300,000. The victim became suspicious over time and reported it to police. Calgary police, working with its cybercrime and blockchain investigations team, launched an investigation and were able to identify a suspect who they believed was responsible. In March 2023, Calgary police investigators, with help from the Longueuil police, executed search warrants at a home in Brossard, Que., and a Montreal business in relation to the incident. As a result, earlier in July, Jeremy Rattray, a 34-year-old resident of Brossard, Que., was charged with one count of fraud over $5,000, one count of laundering the proceeds of crime and two counts of identity theft. He's scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 12. Police ask Calgarians to be on high alert for fraudsters and scammers. 'We continue to remind the public to be aware of cryptocurrency scams,' said Staff Sgt. Gary Novokowsky. 'Fraudsters are increasingly impersonating family members, lawyers or members of law enforcement agencies to manipulate victims, particularly seniors, into believing a loved one is in trouble,' 'If you receive a call asking you to withdraw funds or send money to unknown individuals, hang up and do not engage with the person.' Anyone who has suffered a financial loss or had personal information compromised because of fraud can report it to police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.
