OPP warn about a fraudster preying on the owner of a lost cat
Posted Sep 3, 2025 09:25:30 AM.
Last Updated Sep 3, 2025 11:00:09 AM.
Wellington OPP have a warning about a fraudster who allegedly tried to get money by preying on a pet owner who had lost their cat.
Police said it began on Sunday over the long weekend, when a resident who lives just outside of Guelph posted a message on social media and a website about their lost pet.
Police said while the resident was still sending out those messages, they got an email from an account they didn’t recognize, with someone claiming they had already found their cat.
But the sender wanted $250 for the pet’s return.
The sender even included a photo of the cat, apparently showing it had been found, but police said it was actually just a digitally altered version of the owner’s own photo of their cat.
The resident did not pay, and contacted police.
And the OPP say while their officers were at the resident’s home, the lost cat came returned on its own.
Wellington OPP remind everyone to keep their guard up to avoid being a victim of fraud.
They advise never sharing any of your personal information when you get an unsolicited email, call, or message.
OPP say the signals of a scam message include:
- Emails, text-messages or phone calls sent at odd times of the night
- Creating a false sense of urgency
- Spelling errors
- Lack of punctuation or capitals in sentences
- Automated messages
- Random links or attachments
- Generic business or company name
The OPP recommend reading The Little Black Book of Scams, which can be found by clicking here.
Or reach out to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501.
