Phone scam costs woman $25,000

Charlottetown police are warning the public of a scam after a person claiming to be an investigator defrauded a city woman out of around $25,000.

The victim reported receiving a phone call from a person claiming to be working with the RCMP to investigate a large internal bank fraud. The woman was told her cooperation was required as part of the investigation, and the scammer asked her to send $900 to an address via Western Union.

The caller told the woman her money would be returned. The woman was also asked to purchase 320 iTunes cards and provide the caller with the code to each of the cards. The fraudster proceeded to validate the iTunes card for money. Later, the woman was also instructed to withdraw $100,000 and to wait for further instructions, but she did not continue communications with this particular fraudster.

The police investigation is ongoing.

The public is reminded that neither police nor bank investigators conduct business using any of these methods.

Contact your local police agency if you feel you have been a victim of fraud.