FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 1:20pm
(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service Central District Investigation Unit is investigating two recent reports of fraud and seeking public assistance to identify three (3) suspects.
In these scenarios, the suspects approached taxi drivers and asked to borrow a significant amount of money (1000. $ and more) promising to return it with compensation. The suspects exit the taxis leaving behind what the victims believe to be collateral (i.e. jewellery) and go inside a multiple unit building with the victim’s money to supposedly conduct an important business transaction.
The suspects never return to the taxi and the victims lose a significant amount of money.
The collateral turns out to be nothing of value and the suspects cannot be located by the victims.
- Suspect 1 is described as a Black male, approximately 35 to 40 years old, bald and a thin build (picture No1).
- Suspect 2 is described as a Black male, approximately 25 to 35 years old, dark hair, chin strap beard, larger build, a tattoo on the right side of neck (picture No 2).
- Suspect 3 is described as a Caucasian female, approximately 40 to 50 years old, heavy build, long dirty blond/brown hair, wears glasses (picture No 3).
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Ottawa Police’s Central District Investigation Unit Det. Jo-Lynn Wellman at 613-236-1222, ext. 5677 or Det. Natalie Fortin at 613-236-1222 est.5678. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app.
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CONTACT:
Media Relation Section
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366