Laurentian Bank: Laurentian Bank of Canada.
Interac e-Transfer is a registered trademark of Interac Corp. Used under licence.
Financial and payment fraud.
Financial and payment fraud.
Scammers attempt to move money or steal from victims using unauthorized or deceptive financial transactions.
Money mule fraud.
Victims, known as money mules, are enticed to receive funds into their bank account via wire transfer, money transfer or cheque deposit. These funds often come from criminal activities, such as scams or money laundering.
Victims then transfer the money to another account or a cryptocurrency platform, as instructed by the fraudsters, in exchange for financial compensation.
Investment scam.
Fraudsters pose as financial or investment experts, with the goal of getting you to invest through a fraudulent online trading platform.
They do this by using cryptocurrency accounts under their control, or by taking money from the victim's account by Interac e-Transfer® payments. They dangle quick and easy gains based on their alleged expertise and encourage you to invest more and more to increase your profits but never provide a return on investment.
What to watch out for:
You’re pressured to make unsolicited investments.
You're promised unusually high returns.
You're told about a unique investment opportunity you shouldn't miss that sounds too good to be true.
You’re asked to pay to invest or to recover your gains.
You’re coerced to open an account, including remote access to your computer.
You're asked to deposit money by Interac e-Transfer, credit card or cryptocurrency.
Offers to help you, such as requesting access to your computer, cell phone or login credentials.
They promise to recover and return money you lost in a previous investment scam.
How to protect yourself:
Don't click on ads or articles about investments from social media or websites that don't belong to well-known institutions.
Don't respond to unsolicited messages from strangers on social networks.
Prioritize investments with institutions that are members of the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA).
Check that the company and the person you’re dealing with are authorized to sell you the investments offered. Contact the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) or check the Register of firms and individuals authorized to practice.
Never share personal information such as your date of birth, Social Insurance Number (SIN), passwords, or send photos of yourself or your identification.
Never give someone control of your computer, cell phone or tablet.
If you’ve given someone access to one of your devices, unplug it or turn it off immediately. If you realize you've been the victim of a scam, cut off all communication with the fraudsters and contact your financial institution as soon as possible, using an official telephone number.
If you’re asked for money to recover your investment gains, don't do it. Legitimate investments don’t require any extra payouts to access your gains.
Take the time to think about your investment and verify the information you’ve been given. Never act in a hurry. A reliable opportunity will never require immediate action.