Jeannette Roy, a resident of Saskatoon, found herself falling victim to an elaborate financial scam that cost her $10,000. Normally cautious about scams, Roy was taken aback when an alert popped up on her iPad one morning, seemingly from Apple support, warning her that her account was being compromised.
A person claiming to be Apple support, identifying himself as James Watson, informed Roy that her account was being hacked by Russian hackers attempting to use her funds to purchase child pornography. Frightened by the gravity of the claim, Roy was willing to do whatever it took to protect her account.
The fake Apple support worker asked Roy which bank she used and promised to connect her to “fraud investigators” through a secure line. On the line, someone posing as a TD Bank fraud investigator persuaded Roy to withdraw her money from the bank, citing that the hackers might try to access it.
Feeling coerced and alarmed, Roy withdrew the money from her bank account at various locations, including a nearby convenience store’s Bitcoin ATM machine, as instructed by the scammers. Afterward, she realized something was amiss and immediately contacted her bank and the police. Unfortunately, it was too late, and she had already lost her savings.
Jeannette Roy is now sharing her story to warn others about this new type of scam. She had never heard about such a situation in the media before, highlighting the need for public awareness.
TD Bank issued a statement emphasizing that customers should always be honest with branch staff while completing transactions, and they should never be instructed to lie or keep secrets. In case of any suspicion of falling victim to scams or fraud, customers should report it promptly to their financial institution, the police, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
The Saskatoon Police Service echoes the importance of vigilance against potential fraud. Fraudsters employ urgency and panic to manipulate victims into complying with their demands. The public is advised to verify information and ask questions when suspicious of phone calls or emails. When it comes to cryptocurrency involvement, authorities caution against its use unless individuals are well-versed in its handling, as investigations into cryptocurrency fraud can be complex and challenging when wallets are located outside Canada.
Although Roy admits feeling foolish, the bank staff empathized with her, comparing her experience to being abused without physical injuries. Nevertheless, the ordeal has left her deeply mistrustful, reflecting on the sad reality of society where trust is increasingly hard to place. Her hope is that by sharing her story, others can be better prepared to protect themselves from similar scams in the future.