Elderly couple from Uxbridge lose $1.2 million in scam

Police are warning the public after two seniors from Uxbridge were defrauded of their life savings.

An elderly couple was lead to believe they won the jackpot in a United States lottery have lost $1.2 million through the scam.

“After losing their life savings they turned to a family friend requesting a loan of $130,000. It was that friend that contacted police,” reads a media release from police.

Residents are reminded to consider the following when you are contacted as a lottery winner:

  • Ask yourself, “When did I buy a ticket or when did I enter the lottery?”
  • Most lotteries require you to be a resident of the province, state and/ or country to collect the winnings i.e. generally speaking a resident of Ontario cannot collect on a lottery based in the United States, the United Kingdom, etc.
  • In Canada, it is illegal to charge a fee, tax, etc. associated to the winning i.e. if you win $1,000.00 you have won $1,000.00, no service fee, no insurance fee, no clearance fee, etc.
  • If you are uncertain about the validity of a lottery you can contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and/ or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to confirm

And remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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