Sextortion, puppies and more: Niagara police warn of 4 online scams

Niagara Regional Police is sharing some of the different online scams they've been seeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virus has forced many to stay home, which has led to more internet use, which police say can increase the chances of becoming a victim of fraud.

Here are four ways police say the scammers will try todeceive you:

Sextortion

Scammers send their victiman email that their computer was hacked. Police say the scammer will normally provide an old password of the user that they found in a previous data breach to intimidate the victim.

Then, the criminal willask for bitcoinand threaten torelease compromising photos of the user to their friends and family.

"Chances are the victims computer has not been compromised and the scammers are just hoping the user will send them bitcoin," Niagara police say.

"You can report these e-mails to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre."

Puppies

Another scam becoming more popular involves using empathy and puppies as a weapon.

"Many scammers are asking for money up front to "hold" a puppy which is usually sent out of the province by wire transfer or Bitcoin," the police service says.

"Before sending any money do your homework and make sure you're dealing with a reputable breeder. Search the email address, telephone number or any other information to see if there are fraud complaints or positive review for the seller."

Buyers beware

Buying products online may also make someone vulnerable to a cyber attack.

"If you're dealing with an unknown person or web site to make an online sale be cautions if the seller request money be sent via bitcoin, wire transfer or electronicfund transfer (EFT)," Niagara police says.

Mostlegitimate sellers will use an online payment processor to conduct transactions.

"Consider usingthird party payment providers who protect your purchase.If it seems too good to be true it probably is."

Seller beware

And those selling items are also at risk of being victims of cyber crime.

Some buyers will overpay for an item using a fake cheque or transfer. Then, the scammer will askfor money back or ask the seller to forward the money to a fake shipping company.

"By the time the fraudulent payment is discovered the funds are already collected," Niagara police say.

"If you have any doubts about a payment, attempt to confirm the payments with the bank and wait for the payment to clear."