Counterfeit Cash Scam Hits Guelph Seller After Online Phone Deal

A routine online sale turned into an expensive loss for a Guelph resident after a buyer handed over seven counterfeit $100 bills. Police are reminding residents to use safer meet-up options as online fraud schemes continue to rise.

Residents are reminded to be cautious when involved in online purchases after a Guelph man received seven counterfeit $100 bills in exchange for an iPhone he was selling.

Wednesday night, the victim reported he listed an iPhone 15 Pro for sale on an online marketplace. He was contacted by a prospective buyer, who attended the victim’s residence Wednesday evening. The seller said he was suspicious of the bills but accepted them after the buyer ensured him they were legitimate.

When the victim got back inside for a better look he realized all seven were fake. He then realized the buyer had deleted the Facebook account through which they had been communicating.

Caught in Guelph (and Area) member Charlotte Townsend Bennie posted of the incident to the Guelph community.

Online purchase safety tips

• Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers to your home. Suggest a meet-up during the day at a public location, ideally with video surveillance. The Guelph Police Service offers a Buy & Sell Zone outside the station on Fountain Street East.
• Have someone come with you to the meet-up. If you can’t have someone come with you, let friends or family know where the meeting is taking place and any details about the buyer or seller.
• Take screenshots of the advertisements and any contact information provided by the other party.
• If you are the buyer, do not disclose to the seller how you will be paying if it’s not necessary. If the seller is aware you are attending with cash it creates an opportunity for a robbery to take place.
• Take note of any vehicles or people associated to the transaction as it is certainly possible that the name they are using online could be false.