LONDON FREE PRESS

BRIGDEN, ONTARIO CANADA

Police are investigating a brazen Internet scammer who spent about three years duping a Brigden woman, even showing up at her door for more money.

Lambton OPP said the scammer, calling himself Joby Williams, used the time to win the 55-year-old victim's confidence before asking her to cash what was supposed to be a final paycheque from his Montreal employer.

The man told the victim he had moved to California and couldn't cash the $5,000 cheque because it was drawn in Canadian funds.

The woman agreed to cash it and forwarded a portion of the money via Western Union to the man last December.

After several e-mail exchanges, the man turned up at the woman's door to collect the balance of $3,000, then left.

"The frightening fact is that the thief actually showed up at the door of the victim to collect a portion of the money," said Const. John Reurink.

"The brief meeting was such that the victim has difficulty describing who came to the door."

The bank determined the cheque was altered and fraudulent.

"If that wasn't enough, a man now identifying himself as a private investigator has now contacted the victim via e-mail," continued Reurink.

"For a mere $700 dollars more, they will locate Joby Williams and get her money back."

But the scam went further, said Reurink.

"Other e-mails have been sent from another party purporting themselves to be a lawyer who is also investigating Joby Williams and wants all documentation to be sent to them," said Reurink.

"Each scammer e-mailing the victim requests that she does not involve the police."

Reurink said such crimes are "extremely difficult" to investigate.

The investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Oxford OPP are warning area residents to beware a scam in which victims are asked to send money through Western Union as part of survey.

Police said an Oxford resident answered a newspaper advertisement seeking volunteers for the survey.

Participants were offered $200 to send a "test" money transfer of $2,000, a common scam tactic, police said.

Western Union confirmed no such survey exists, police said.

Comments (1)

thesarge: ... Anyone like to venture a guess how the AH "won the 55 yoa confidence" ? 1 March 10, 2008

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