FRAUD PREVENTION
Cornwall, ON- The Cornwall Police have seen an increase in victims of fraud due to a recent surge of scams involving Western Union and Money Grams. These scams are presenting themselves using email, mail and phone calls.
One of the biggest indications of a scam, if not the biggest, is any request that money, for any purpose, be sent via a money transfer service like Western Union or Money Gram.
Western Union and Money Gram both recommend that consumers never send money to strangers using their service. Money transfer services were designed to send cash to people you know and trust and they do not have fraud protection or chargeback provisions.
Here are some helpful tips:
– Never send money to a stranger using a money transfer service.
– Beware of deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true (ie – the lottery you won that you never entered; being overpaid for jobs that you have not even done).
– Never send money to pay for taxes or fees on foreign lottery winnings.
– Never provide your banking information to unknown individuals or businesses.
– Never send money in advance to obtain a loan or credit card.
– Verify all facts in every emergency situation before sending money.
– Always check for proper spelling and punctuation in emails and correspondence.
– Any online store that will only accept Western Union payments should be considered a scam.
A fraudster will often attend a different location from the one listed on the payee information of the Western Union, provide minimal usually fabricated identification and pick up the money sent. With no way of identifying the person picking up the money it usually ends all leads available for Police to investigate.
Western Union or Money Gram are designed to send cash with very few, if any questions asked. It’s not their responsibility to make sure that you are not defrauded or that you get whatever services or goods you paid for. There job is to send cash to the person you tell them to send it to. It is up to you to protect yourself.
To prevent from falling victim to these scams, educate yourself, your families and friends. If you have concerns or are suspicious about dealings take the time to do your homework on the company or person asking you for the money. If they don’t want to allow you the time, then it is an indication that it is a scam.
If you’re in doubt, it’s wise to ask the advice of a close friend or relative, or even your banker. Rely on people you can trust.
If you require further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Cornwall Community Police Service by dialing (613) 933-5000, ext. 2782, our web-site www.cornwallpolice.com or www.anti-fraudbusters.ca.
The Cornwall Community Police Service is committed to our residents through our Vision: “A Safer Cornwall, reducing crime always”.
THEFT OVER
Cornwall, ON- Angela Wilson, 36 of Cornwall was arrested on the 29th of March, 2012. It is alleged that while being employed by a Marlborough Street business she removed property without making any attempt to pay of the items. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. She was charged with theft over $5000.00 and released to appear in court on the 24th of April, 2012.
WARRANT
Cornwall, ON- Andrew Landry, 21 of Cornwall was arrested on the 29th of March, 2012 under the strength of an outstanding probation warrant. It is alleged that he failed to report to probation and a warrant was sought. He was located and released to appear in court on the 24th of March, 2012.
Cornwall, ON- Kaelin Wotherspoon, 19 of Cornwall was arrested on the 29th of March, 2012 under the strength of a bench warrant. It is alleged that on the 19th of March, 2012 she failed to attend court and a warrant was sought. She was located and held until court later that day.
FRAUD & UTTER FORGED DOCUMENTS
Cornwall, ON- Jason Danis, 23 of Cornwall was arrested on the 29th of March, 2012. It is alleged that on the 29th of March, 2012 he attended a local financial facility and uttered forged documents. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. He was charged with fraud under $5000.00 and 2 counts of utter forged documents. He was released to appear in court on the 24th of April, 2012.
ASSAULT & BREACH OF RECOGNIZANCE
Cornwall, ON- A 16 year-old Cornwall youth and a 17 year-old Snye youth were arrested on the 29th of March, 2012. The 17 year-old youth was bound by a Recognizance with the condition to keep the peace. It is alleged that on the 28th of March, 2012 they attended a 16 year-old acquaintance’s residence and assaulted her. The victim required medical treatment. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. They were both charged with assault and the 17 year-old youth was also charged with breach of recognizance. They were released to adults to appear in court on the 3th of May, 2012. Their names were not released as per provision under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
SEXUAL INTERFERENCE, INVITATION TO SEXUAL TOUCHING & SEXUAL ASSAULT
Cornwall, ON- A 30 year-old Cornwall man was arrested on the 29th of March, 2012. It is alleged that between February 2009 and July 2011, he inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted his 16 year-old and 17 year-old step daughters. The victims did not require medical treatment. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. He was charged with 2 counts of sexual assault, 2 counts of sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching. He was released to appear in court on the 12th of April, 2012. His name was not released as it would identify the victims.
WARRANT & BREACHES
Cornwall, ON- Patrick Fraser, 26 of Cornwall was arrested on the 26th of March, 2012 under the strength of an outstanding warrant. He was bound by an undertaking with the condition to keep the peace and be of good behaviour as well as a probation order with the relevant conditions of keep the peace and be of good behaviour; and appear before the court when required to do so. It is alleged that on the 23rd of March, 2012 he failed to attend court. He was charged with fail to re-attend court, fail to comply with undertaking and 2 counts of breach of probation order. He was held in custody until court later that day.
CRIMINAL HARASSMENT, POSSESSION OF WEAPON DANGEROUS, EXTORTION & ASSAULT WITH WEAPON
Cornwall, ON- A 50 year-old Cornwall man was arrested on the 26th of March, 2012. It is alleged that for the past year he has been criminally harassing his 77 year-old father by continuously contacting him and extorting money. It is also alleged that on the 26th of March, 2012 he attended his father’s residence, threaten him with an edged weapon and assaulted him. The victim did not required medical treatment. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. He was charged with criminal harassment, possession of weapon dangerous, extortion and assault with a weapon. He was held in custody until court the following day. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in this incident.
BREACH
Cornwall, ON- A 13 year-old Cornwall youth was arrested on the 26th of March, 2012. The youth was bound by an undertaking with the conditions of reside with a certain person and abide by the rules of that residence attend school without truancy. It is alleged that on the 26th of March, 2012 the youth left school property and police were contacted. The youth was located and charged with 2 counts of breach of undertaking. The youth was held in custody and appear in court the following day. The youth’s name was not released as per provision under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Cornwall, ON- James Davis, 24 of St.Regis, Quebec, was arrested on the 27th of March, 2012. He was bound by an undertaking with relevant condition to remain within Akwesasne Mohawk Territory except to attend court or to meet with his lawyer. It is alleged that during the early hours of the 27th of March, 2012 he was observed by a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service Patrol Division to be walking on Brookdale Avenue. He was charged with breach of under taking and held in custody until court later that day.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Cornwall, ON- Colin Gonsalves, 43 of Cornwall was arrested on the 26th of March, 2012. It is alleged that between the 31st of October, 2011 to the 3rd of November, 2011, while being a care giver at a health care facility did inappropriately touched a 20 year-old female patient on 3 separate occasions. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. He was charged with 3 counts of sexual assault. He was released to appear in court on the 8th of May, 2012.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT
Cornwall, ON- An 19 year-old Chantley man was arrested on the 27th of March, 2012. It is alleged that he got into an altercation with his 19 year-old ex-girlfriend when he assaulted her. The victim did not require medical treatment. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. He was charged with domestic assault and held in custody until court the following day. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in this incident.
MISCHEIF & ASSAULT PEACE OFFICER
Cornwall, ON- Patrick Rottier, 21 of Cornwall was arrested on the 27th of March, 2012. It is alleged that on the 27th of March, 2012 he attended the Canadian Boarder Service Agency, caused damaged to a motor vehicle and assaulted a Canadian Boarder Service Agency Customs Officer. The victim did not require any medical treatment. Police were contacted and an investigation followed. He was charged with mischief under $5000.00 and assault a peace officer. He was held in custody until court later that day.
And from the OPP:
TEXTING and MISCHIEF
(Smiths Falls, ON.) – The East Region Crime Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is presently investigating numerous mischief complaints that have been occurring across East Region.
People are receiving a text message on their personal cell phones indicating that someone was possibly murdered. Due to the seriousness implications of the text, the receiver rightfully notifies police. To date, all of the messages have been confirmed as a hoax.
These false texts must be followed up by police to make a factual determination into their authentication and ties up many officers for many hours in determing the source of the text.
The OPP want to warn everyone, that making/initiating a false text, such as this, is a criminal offence and the creator of the text may be charged with mischief.
Anyone receiving such a text that does not know the source and has a concern is asked to contact the OPP or their nearest police agency.
DRIVER IDENTIFIED IN FATAL COLLISON
(North Glengarry) – SD&G OPP have identified the driver involved in the fatal collision on 1st Kenyon, North Glengarry Township.
The 27yr old male driver of a 2000 Ford Explorer (Luc Alexandre DULUDE of Saint Laurent, Quebec) was pronounced deceased at the scene of the single motor vehicle collision.
SD&G OPP members assisted by the OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators continue the investigation.
BREACHED CONDITIONS
(North Dundas) – On 28Mar12, at approximately 3:00pm, SD&G OPP officers observed a 21yr old male (Joshua SIMSER of Winchester On) contravening his earlier release conditions. The male was near a property that he was not to attend.
He was arrested and faces charges of:
- Fail to Comply – Undertaking before Officer in Charge
- Breach of Probation Order
He is scheduled to appear 01May12 in Morrisburg court.
MISCHIEF
(South Glengarry) – On 28Mar12, at approximately 3:30pm, SD&G OPP officers responded to a report of a mischief on Tyotown Road, South Glengarry Township.
The investigation revealed that sometime overnight unknown suspects attended the high school and damaged the lawn by driving their vehicles all over the grass.
The investigation is ongoing.
