Police Warn of Fake Cash After Online Marketplace Deal in Guelph

What looked like a routine online sale quickly turned into an expensive lesson for one Guelph resident. Police say the method is not new – but it is happening more often.

The Guelph Police Service is investigating and reminding the public to be cautious after nine fake $100 bills were used to buy a phone.

A Guelph resident reported he was selling an iPhone 16 online and was contacted by a prospective buyer. The pair met last Thursday afternoon and the buyer handed over nine $100 bills. When the seller attempted to deposit them days later they were rejected and he realized the bills contained the words ‘Prop money’ within the hologram area. The suspect was described as a black man driving a four-door sedan.

This is at least the fourth such fraud reported to the Guelph Police Service since early December. It is not known if any of the incidents are related.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Ashley McArthur at 519-824-1212, ext. 7105, email amcarthur@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.

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. (Occurrence number GU26022162)