NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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SPRINGWATER TWP – In March 2017, crime unit members of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were alerted to a potential fraudulent Go Fund Me account.
The account was set up by family and friends to help the suspect and her family with the financial burden associated to the ongoing cancer treatment. Since March 10, 2017, just short of $6,500 was collected into the account by 74 victims.
After a lengthy investigation, police determined the suspect had not been diagnosed or treated with a critical illness in 2017. Julie Carter, 36-years-old, of Springwater Township has been arrested and charged with:
- Fraud over $5000
- Making a forged document Investigators want to ensure well intended people are not victimized by these type of frauds.
Follow these few tips before donating to online pleas for money:
- Do a reverse image search on Google. Often fraudsters reuse pictures from other legitimate campaigns.
- Read the comment section. Comments may tell you it's a fraud but lack of comments may also be a red flag.
- Support people you know.
- If you suspect a fraudulent account report directly to Go Fund Me and local law enforcement.
The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.
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