International student in Guelph scammed for almost $200,000
Posted Jul 16, 2025 10:19:08 AM.
Last Updated Jul 16, 2025 11:35:33 AM.
A student in Guelph was taken for almost $200,000 after fraudsters pretended to be government and bank authorities.
Guelph Police said it began back in April, when an international student in her 20s was contacted by someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Police said the phony CRA agent told the woman she’d been connected to a Chinese company, and she owed taxes to China.
The student was then connected to more people posing as authorities from police in China, and as a prosecutor looking into a money laundering case.
Guelph Police said the student was threatened with deportation if she did not make payments for bail that totalled $193,000.
She was told she’d get the money back on Monday. When that didn’t happen, she went to Guelph Police on Tuesday.
Officials remind everyone to be wary of any telephone call or other communication from anyone claiming to represent a government official or law enforcement, especially if someone asks you for money or personal information.
Victims of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police, and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system, or by them at 1-888-495-8501.
