Media Release – April 2, 2025

$330k lost in crypto scam

Residents are reminded to be extremely cautious when dealing with unknown individuals, after a Guelph woman lost more than $300,000 in a crypto scam.

On Tuesday the victim in her 60s attended the police station to report the scam. She had listed a basement apartment for rent and was contacted by a man who claimed to be interested in it. The two began exchanging messages and eventually he convinced her to invest in cryptocurrency, downloading an app and investing $200,000.

The victim saw her “investment” appear to grow and paid an additional $131,000, supposedly to cover fees. She eventually concluded it was a scam and contacted police.

Residents should be very careful when dealing online with someone they do not personally know. Monies sent as cryptocurrency are very difficult to trace and the odds of recovering these funds is very low.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Even if no financial loss has been sustained, interactions can still be reported to the CAFC.

$15k in damage to construction vehicles

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after thousands of dollars in damage was done to construction vehicles in the north end.

Just before 8 a.m., Tuesday, police were called to the area of Woodlawn Road West and Nicklin Road. Staff had arrived at a construction project to discover several of their heavy vehicles had their windows smashed by rocks. The damage is estimated at more than $15,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Jonathan Schleen at 519-824-1212, ext. 7570, email jschleen@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.

Parents’ car impounded for stunt driving

A Cambridge man was taken off the road and saw his parents’ car impounded after he was stopped for stunt driving Monday evening.

Just before 6 p.m. a member of the Guelph Police Service Traffic Unit was conducting speed enforcement near Wellington Street West and Imperial Road South when he spotted a driver travelling well above the posted 60 km/h speed limit.

The vehicle slowed abruptly as it approached the officer, but was still caught on radar going 102 km/h.

An 18-year-old Cambridge man is charged with speeding and stunt driving. His licence was suspended for 30 days and his parents’ car was impounded for 14 days. A stunt driving conviction will attract a minimum licence suspension of one year, a minimum fine of $2,000 and six demerit points.

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 204