KIJIJI FRAUD

The Woodstock Police Service received a report of fraud after putting a deposit down on a vehicle advertised for sale on Kijiji. Once the deposit was received the vehicle advertisement was taken down. Upon arrival to see at the vehicle, the vehicle owners did not know anything about the ad.

Police encourage the public to be cautious when purchasing through classifieds sites such as Kijiji and Facebook Market Place. Avoid providing deposit money prior to seeing the item you intend to purchase.

IMPAIRED DRIVER

During a routine traffic stop on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at approximately 2:35 a.m. a Woodstock Police officer began a suspected impaired driver investigation.

As a result of the investigation, the 21-year-old driver of Woodstock, was arrested for:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus);
• Novice driver blood alcohol concentration above zero; and
• Young driver blood alcohol concentration above zero.

The driver’s vehicle has been impounded for 7 days and licence has been suspended for 90 days.

Police would like to remind drivers that anyone with a novice level driver’s licence (G1/G2) is not permitted to have any level of alcohol in their system while driving.

STOLEN VEHICLE

On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at approximately 9:50 a.m. the Woodstock Police Service responded to the area of Light Street near Hunter Street for reports of a vehicle theft in progress. Police quickly located the suspect on arrival.

As a result of the investigation, the 24-year-old of Woodstock was arrested and charged with:

• Theft over $5000 of a motor vehicle;
• Possession property obtained by crime over $5000; and
• Two (2) counts of failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court.

GRANDPARENT SCAM ALERT

The Woodstock Police Service continue to warn the public about scams occurring in Woodstock, instructing victims to provide money.

The Woodstock Police Service has received multiple reports of what is known as the “grandparent scam” or “emergency scam” in Woodstock. Victims are contacted in a perceived urgent situation and instructed to provide money to alleviate bad circumstances of a loved one such as, being in jail or in a car accident.

In the recent Woodstock incidents, scammers have posed as the victims’ grandchild claiming they require money in order to be released from Woodstock Police custody. Police want to highlight that authorities in Canada do not ask for money in order to release someone from custody.

Scammers are very good at what they do, and police want to encourage the members of our community to protect themselves against these scams.

If you receive a call in this nature, slow things down. Scammers prey on heightened emotions and encouraging urgent action. Reach out to other relatives to review the situation together. Never offer information to the caller such as a name – allow the caller to identify themselves first. Refuse to send e-transfer money, gift cards, credit card numbers or crypto currency in ‘urgent situations.’ Trust your gut, and hang up if the call seems suspicious.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of a scam is encouraged to contact the Woodstock Police Service at 519-537-2323 and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcenter.ca.