City Police issue fraud warning

North Bay Police
News Release

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Detective Constable Denis Levasseur, the Fraud Coordinator of the North Bay Police Service would like to warn the public of an ongoing internet based apartment rental fraud alert that has been occurring on sites such as Kijiji and Craigslist.

There have been numerous complaints in North Bay and throughout the Province related to fraudulent apartment rentals. The fraudsters are preying on individuals who are thinking of renting. Their prices are usually lower than the market and as such if the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. The internet has enabled theses fraudsters to extend the borders of their criminal activity with little or no chance of being brought to justice.

The fraudsters are re-issuing ads that were legitimately placed advising the potential tenants that they have been transferred out of the country and as such the house or apartment is available. Most communications take place via email and the fraudsters request the money be sent through wire transfer companies out of country.

Be cautious when responding to theses types of ads and never reveal personal information that could potentially compromise your identity, and never send money to someone you do not know

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