- A senior in Calgary lost over $300,000 after falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam.
- Jeremy Rattray of Brossard, Quebec faces charges of fraud, laundering proceeds of crime, and identity theft.
- The victim was misled by someone pretending to be her grandson needing bail money.
- Police traced the scam through multiple Bitcoin ATM deposits and identified a suspect in Quebec.
- Authorities warn the public to be cautious of urgent calls requesting money transfers to unknown individuals.
The Calgary Police Service has charged a Quebec man after investigating a cryptocurrency scam that caused a senior citizen in Calgary to lose more than $300,000. In June 2022, the victim was contacted by someone posing as her grandson, who claimed he needed funds for bail and legal fees after a car accident and alleged drug charges.
Investigation showed the victim made over 300 separate deposits from her bank account into bitcoin ATM machines during a six-week period as directed by a person claiming to be her grandson’s lawyer. After growing suspicious, the victim notified police.
Officers identified Jeremy Rattray, 34, of Brossard, Quebec, as the suspect responsible for the fraud. Police, with help from the Longueuil Police Service, searched a residence in Brossard and a business in Montreal in March 2023. This investigation led to charges of fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, and two counts of identity theft against Rattray earlier this month.
“Fraudsters are increasingly impersonating family members, lawyers or members of law enforcement agencies to manipulate victims, particularly seniors, into believing a loved one is in trouble,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Gary Novokowsky of the Calgary Police cybercrime team. He advised the public to be suspicious of unexpected phone calls demanding urgent action and recommending no one share personal or financial information, or send money, to unknown callers.
Police noted thieves often use data from large-scale breaches to make their Scams more convincing. Authorities also advised that anyone receiving calls requesting withdrawals or transfers to unknown individuals should hang up and not engage.
Jeremy Rattray is scheduled to appear in court on August 12.
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