Direct Mail Scam Alert
The North Bay Police Service cautions the public about the following direct mail scam.
A scammer who claims to be from a legitimate Canadian market research company sends a letter and cheque to the recipients by mail. The letter informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to conduct shopping experience research and to evaluate various banks and money transferring agencies.
In order to supposedly receive payment for these two assignments, the recipient is asked to cash the full amount of the enclosed cheque and to then transfer approximately 80% of it to other bank accounts. The recipient is then told to keep the remaining balance.
It's not always easy to spot a scam and new ones are invented every day. If you suspect that you may be the target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds, don't be embarrassed—you're not alone.
If you’re a resident of North Bay or Callander and the victim of fraud, first contact your financial institution to make a report of the transaction and then contact the North Bay Police Service, in person at 135 Princess Street West or by phone at 705-497-5589.
To report a fraud or scam to The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), call toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or by email at [email protected].
For more information, visit http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Weekend Occurrences
Over the weekend, the North Bay Police Service responded to 271 calls for service that resulted in 24 arrests. Offences included warrants, public mischief, public intoxication, impaired driving, breaches, domestic assault, fraud under $5000, fraud over $5000, falsification of books, identity fraud, assault, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving, possession of a controlled substance and carry a concealed weapon.
Fraud X2, Counsel to Commit an Offence, Falsification of Books and Identity Fraud
On Saturday June 21, 2014, the North Bay Police Service concluded a fraud investigation in relation to allegations that a local minor hockey coach had defrauded team parents over a three-year span, between July 21, 2010 and April 11, 2013.
As a result of the investigation, 57-year-old Bruce Cazabon of North Bay was arrested and charged with five counts of fraud under $5000, one count of fraud over $5000, one count of theft under $5000, one count of falsifying documents, one count of counsel to commit an indictable offence and one count of identity fraud.
The accused is scheduled to appear in court on August 5, 2014.
Theft of Motor Vehicle, Dangerous Driving and Possession of Weapons Dangerous
Daniel Hickey, age 18 of Tweedsmuir Drive, North Bay faces one count of theft of motor vehicle, one count of dangerous driving and one count possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose.
At approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday June 21, North Bay Police responded to a call about a male who drove a car into a telephone pole on Marshall Avenue and then ran away.
North Bay Police located the described male on foot in the vicinity shortly thereafter.
Following his attendance at a bush party in the West Ferris neighbourhood of the city, where he consumed alcohol, the accused saw a 2001 Toyota Echo parked on Marshall Avenue with the keys in the ignition. Without consent and without knowledge of who owned the car, he entered it. He then drove it onto Marshall Avenue, nearing the shoulder of the road, and proceeded to leap from it, allowing the car to continue to roll on Marshall Avenue until it hit a telephone pole. A North Bay Police search of the accused’s backpack found two items described as weapons for a dangerous purpose.
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.
