March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are advising the general public that cryptocurrency-related fraud continues to impression people and communities throughout eastern Ontario.
Fraudsters generally exploit worry, urgency and secrecy to strain victims into sending cryptocurrency, typically by means of cryptocurrency ATMs, as these transfers might be quick, troublesome to reverse and might be routed to criminals and felony networks anyplace in the world, the provincial police pressure mentioned in a media launch on Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026.
“Eastern Ontario now has over 300 crypto ATMs (40 inside OPP jurisdiction), permitting the scammers to rapidly direct victims to a close-by kiosk,” the OPP acknowledged.
In a video launched by the OPP East Area, Provincial Constable Joey Mason, Media Relations Officer with the Leeds County Detachment, notes that Canada is ranks second for probably the most quantity of crypto ATMs in the world.
In accordance with the discharge, the OPP has seen quite a few fraud themes, together with:
- Funding frauds
- Job/employment scams
- Relationship and romance scams
- Extortion scams
- Restoration scams (guarantees to get well misplaced crypto for a payment)
- Financial institution investigator scams
- Service scams (pretend companies, invoices, tech assist, and so on.)
“Throughout Fraud Prevention Month in March, Neighborhood Engagement Officers at OPP detachments will work with native companies, the place crypto ATMs are positioned, to ship fraud prevention supplies and messaging,” the OPP acknowledged.
“OPP Auxiliary members may also help community-based fraud-prevention schooling.”
Within the launch, police shared these widespread pink flags to look at for:
- An pressing situation (account compromised, warrant, overdue invoice, hacked gadget)
- Pressured to behave instantly or threatened with arrest, fines, or embarrassment
- You might be instructed to withdraw money and deposit it right into a crypto ATM
- You might be informed to maintain it secret, not communicate to household, financial institution workers or police
A video has been posted on OPP East Area social media platforms:
“If you happen to used a crypto ATM and consider you will have been the sufferer of a fraud, hold the receipt and document the kiosk location and any help quantity listed on the machine,” the OPP mentioned.
“Take screenshots and seize crypto pockets addresses, transaction IDs, receipts, textual content messages, emails and telephone numbers.”
Anybody affected is requested to contact their native OPP detachment at 1-888-310-1122 and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on-line or name 1-888-495-8501. Extra data on present and rising scams is out there on the Anti-Fraud Centre website.
