Police are once again calling on citizens to exercise prudence in online transactions after a Tunapuna woman was allegedly fleeced of $2,000 in cash.
The woman told police that on April 14 she saw an advertisement on Facebook for the sale of a Nissan B15 motor vehicle for $15,000.
She contacted the seller and was told to deposit a downpayment of $2,000 to an account.
The woman did as requested, however, when she did her follow-ups the alleged seller ceased communication with the woman.
After several attempts to contact the man, the police were notified and are continuing investigations
Inspector Tricia Smith, and ASP Arnold Lutchman of the Fraud Squad warned citizens of this country to exercise caution during online transactions, especially with persons that they have never met in person.
It was noted that in 2020 there were 2,426 reports of fraud, in 2021 there were 1,093 such reports, and in 2022, up to Thursday, there have been 335 reports.
This year’s reports include:
- Fraudulent cheques – 15 reports, amounting to over $750,000.
- Land fraud – 20 reports involving fraudulent deeds, amounting to over $2.1M, and an attempted land fraud valued at $3.3 million.
- Fraud involving the purchase of vehicles, both new and foreign used – 22 reports, amounting to over $1.8 million.
- Cheques stolen from the Ministry of Social Development and cashed at local merchants – 50 reports amounting to $311,000.
- Investment fraud – five reports, amounting to over $26 million.
ASP Lutchman warned…
