FRAUD INVESTIGATION 2531
WARNING TO PUBLIC
Remain Vigilant While Using Debit Cards
UPDATE – LONDON, ON (January 13, 2022) – Members of the London Police Service Financial Crime Unit continue to investigate a string of reported frauds involving a vehicle purported to be a taxi cab.
More than 35 incidents have been reported to the London police. It is believed that at least two of these fraudulent taxi cabs were operating at the same time.
In addition to a silver Nissan Altima, the suspects were also observed operating a black Nissan Altima in some of the reported incidents.
The London Police Service is encouraging citizens to remain vigilant to with respect to security of financial documents and access to electronic financial services. While London police have not received additional reports involving this type of fraud since Monday January 10, criminals continually update their methods and techniques. Be especially cautious about being asked by strangers to make an unsolicited debit card transaction and, if in doubt, it is best to refuse.
Members of the London Police Service Financial Crime Unit are interested in speaking with anyone who may have information related to this string of frauds.
Anyone with information in relation to these incidents, is asked to call the London Police Service Fraud Intake line at (519) 661-5515, extension 5257 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Elgin Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
ORIGINAL - LONDON, ON (January 10, 2022) – The London Police Service Financial Crime Unit is warning the public to be vigilant while using debit cards after a string of frauds were reported throughout the city over the past week. 
A number of victims have reported being approached in locations throughout the city by a suspect asking for assistance in paying for taxi. In each case, the suspect approached the victim after exiting, or in the proximity of, a vehicle purported to be a taxi, and initiated a ruse which plays out as follows:
- suspect says the driver will not accept cash due to the new COVID variant
- suspect asks the victim for assistance paying for his fare on a promise to repay them in cash, and a quantity of cash is displayed
- victim is provided a debit machine and pays the fare using their debit card
- suspect reimburses the victim in cash
- driver provides a receipt and a debit card to the victim
In each case, the victim later learned that a large sum of money had been removed from their account and that the debit card returned to them was not theirs, but a lookalike.
The suspects are described as follows:
Suspect # 1 – male, approximately 18 – 20 years of age, wearing a puffy jacket, ‘Timberland’ boots, a black hat and a medical mask.
Suspect # 2 – male, approximately 40 years of age, all black clothing, black hat and medical mask.
The suspect vehicle is described as a 4-door sedan with a ‘fake’ taxi sign on the roof. The vehicle is believed to be a 2014 Silver Nissan Altima.
Individual victims have been defrauded of between $1,100 and $13,000, totaling approximately $100,000 altogether.
The police would like to remind the public that providing money or debit cards to a stranger under circumstances such as these is not advisable.
Members of the London Police Service Financial Crime Unit are interested in speaking with anyone who may have information related to this string of frauds.
Anyone with information in relation to these incidents, is asked to call the London Police Service Fraud Intake line at (519) 661-5515, extension 5257 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Elgin Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
For media inquiries, contact:
Cst. Sandasha Bough
Media Relations Officer
C. 519-854-8576
Email. Media Officer
22-2687