Police issue investment scam warning after fake Elon Musk videos circulate online
A man holds a phone and a credit card in this undated photo. (Mikhail Nilov/ Pexels)
South Simcoe police issued a cautionary alert after two reported incidents involving fraudulent ads on YouTube and other social media platforms featuring billionaire Elon Musk offering investments starting at $250.
Police say the victims clicked the link provided and were prompted to share their contact information, becoming targets for scammers who initiated phone calls regarding purportedly "lucrative" investment opportunities.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The scams often involved suspects gaining remote access to victims' computers, allowing them to transfer funds from the victim's account to a website displaying fabricated returns.
"Scammers take the funds and continue to urge more investments with increasing dollar values," the service stated.
According to police, in two reported cases, family members intervened before additional funds were lost.
PREVENT BECOMING A VICTIM
Police shared tips to reduce the risk of falling victim to an investment scam, including:
- Avoid Remote Access: Never allow remote access to your computer, especially if prompted to install programs like Anydesk or Teamviewer.
- Research: Carefully research investment opportunities, verify credentials, and confirm the source's legitimacy.
- Beware of Unrealistic Returns: Be skeptical of investments promising unusually high returns with minimal risk. "If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam," police noted.
- Resist Pressure: Resist high-pressure sales tactics that aim to rush decisions.
- Protect Personal Information: Never share personal information with unknown individuals.
- Verify Legitimacy: Never send money without thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the recipient.
- Consult Financial Advisors: Consult with qualified financial advisors before making significant investments.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, cease communication.
The South Simcoe Police Service encourages residents to discuss the warning signs of investment scams with loved ones and friends.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Police questioning a man in Pennsylvania in connection with killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, law enforcement officials say
Police are questioning a man in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with the shooting and killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter tell CNN.
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday.
BREAKING
BREAKING Canadian government to table fall economic statement next Monday
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table the federal government’s fall economic statement next Monday, the government announced today.
Hazardous conditions expected in some parts of Canada with weather warnings in effect
Hazardous conditions are expected in some parts of Canada this week.
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Celebrities spotted at Taylor Swift's final Eras Tour performance in Vancouver
Taylor Swift fans from around the world gathered in Vancouver on Sunday to witness the final performance of her massively popular Eras Tour, including a few celebrities.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Kitchener
-
Fatal, four-vehicle crash on Sunday
A 53-year-old from Toronto was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another driver was airlifted to a trauma centre. Two passengers were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and two other drivers were not injured.
-
Wanted man arrested by Waterloo Regional Police Service
A man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant was arrested in Kitchener.
-
Man facing more than two dozen charges after arrest in Guelph
A man is facing a long list of charges after the Guelph Police Service received two complaints on Sunday afternoon.
London
-
Work continues to cleanup the collapsed roof at the Albion Hotel in Bayfield, Ont.
Part of the collapsed roof of the Albion Hotel has been removed but it's unclear if the structure, built in the early 1840s can be saved.
-
Charges laid after tow truck operator injured after helping stranded motorist
According to police, a tow operator had removed the suspect vehicle from the ditch earlier, where it had been stuck in the snow. While waiting for payment, the driver of the suspect vehicle sped off and struck the tow operator, launching them into the ditch.
-
Fatal, four-vehicle crash on Sunday
A 53-year-old from Toronto was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another driver was airlifted to a trauma centre. Two passengers were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and two other drivers were not injured.
Windsor
-
Woman dies after vehicle crashes into south Windsor home
Windsor police say a 73-year-old woman has died after a vehicle hit a house in south Windsor.
-
Motown legend Smokey Robinson coming to Caesars Windsor
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is bringing his Legacy Tour to Caesars Windsor this spring.
-
What’s lowering Detroit River water levels?
If you’ve noticed the current along the Detroit River sitting lower than usual, you’re not alone.
Northern Ontario
-
Wanted man arrested in North Bay after police chase on foot
North Bay police arrested a federal offender accused of breaching his statutory release nearly two weeks ago.
-
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
-
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Winter weather travel advisory in effect for Sault, Sudbury, North Bay
Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay.
-
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
-
Sault College health students showcase their work
Sault College students from three different health-care programs had the opportunity to present their work to local industry leaders at the institute’s second Health Care Research Showcase.
Ottawa
-
Treasury Board president accuses PSAC of sharing 'misleading information' on $1.9 billion public service pension surplus
The President of the Treasury Board is accusing a federal public service union of providing "misleading information" to its members, after the Public Service Pension Fund posted a non-permitted surplus of $1.9 billion.
-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Up to 5 cm of snow, freezing rain expected in Ottawa
Another blast of winter weather is set to hit Ottawa this week, with 2 to 4 centimetres of snow in the forecast for today and the risk of freezing rain or drizzle tonight and on Tuesday. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, warning freezing rain and freezing drizzle are possible.
-
Number of speeding tickets dropping at Ottawa's busiest photo radar camera
King Edward Avenue continues to be the hot spot for speeders on Ottawa roads this year, but the number of tickets issued by the new photo radar camera continues to decline as drivers adjust their speeds on the Lowertown road.
Toronto
-
Service disruptions lead to overcrowding at busy subway stations: Toronto police
Toronto police say signal issues have led to crowding at some busy subway stations, including Union Station, this morning.
-
GTA sees freezing rain, icy conditions during morning rush hour
Parts of the GTA remain under a freezing rain warning this morning as Environment Canada warns of slippery driving conditions today.
-
Protester charged with assaulting officer at North York demonstration
A counter-protester has been charged with assaulting an officer following an altercation at a North York site which sees frequent demonstrations around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Montreal
-
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.
-
Montreal to raise fines for some parking infractions in 2025
The City of Montreal plans to hike parking fines for some specific parking violations, including double parking and parking in reserved lanes, starting in 2025.
-
Freezing rain expected in Quebec on Wednesday
Much of Quebec was covered with a bed of snow over the weekend, which is expected to melt throughout the week thanks to forecast rainfall, before freezing again, according to Environment Canada.
Atlantic
-
Conservation measures, mandatory restrictions for those served by Lake Major lifted: Halifax Water
Halifax Water says the voluntary conservation measures and mandatory restrictions for residents and businesses who are served by Lake Major have been lifted effective immediately.
-
N.B. advocate calls for change to seclusion room practices in schools
New Brunswick’s child, youth and seniors' advocate Kelly Lamrock is urging the Department of Education and Early Childhood to address his concerns about the use of seclusion rooms in schools.
-
In once tranquil N.S. town, intimidation in the lobster industry now all too common
RCMP have laid 51 charges in the last two years against criminals along the Acadian shore in relation to the lobster fishery.
Winnipeg
-
Road and school closures in place in southern Manitoba due to snowy conditions
The winter wallop in southern Manitoba has prompted a number of highways and schools in Manitoba to be closed, and is resulting in several buses not running on Monday.
-
Man charged after teens sexually assaulted at gym: Winnipeg police
Winnipeg police have charged a 47-year-old man after he allegedly sexually assaulted two teen boys at a gym Friday night.
-
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Calgary
-
Man dead after incident at workplace in northeast Calgary
Occupational Health and Safety and the Calgary Police Service are investigating how a man died on Sunday night.
-
Some Olympic Plaza bricks can be saved, city now says
In a surprise move, the City of Calgary said Monday that there's a possibility that some of the thousands of commemorative bricks that make up Olympic Plaza can be recovered.
-
GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday.
Edmonton
-
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: A cool down and some occasional flurries
After a really warm weekend, temperatures will stay on the mild side for one more day. Cooler air starts to dig in Tuesday.
-
Oilers starting to look and play like a contender
After another typically slow start to the season, the Edmonton Oilers finally seem to be living up to some of the promise that had many believing they could get back to a Stanley Cup final, not long removed from losing in Game 7 of the final to the Florida Panthers last season.
Regina
-
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
-
New council 'likely' to throw out former councillor's motion to reconsider indoor aquatic facility plans, councillors say
Regina's newly elected council is likely to withdraw a motion put forward by former Ward 4 coun. and 2024 mayoral candidate Lori Bresciani, according to multiple council members.
-
Several Sask. highways closed, travel not recommended on others following weekend storm
Several highways are closed across southern Saskatchewan Monday morning, including parts of Highway 1, after a weekend with freezing rain and winter storm warnings across the province.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon honours Bella Brave with birthday celebration
It has been five months since Bella Thompson, widely known as Bella Brave to her millions of TikTok followers, passed away after a long battle with Hirschsprung’s disease and an auto-immune disorder.
-
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
-
No injuries following kitchen fire in Saskatoon
Saskatoon fire crews responded to a kitchen fire on the 100 block of Avenue U South Sunday afternoon.
Vancouver
-
Burnaby RCMP announce charges in 2021 murder case
Mounties say two men have been charged in the 2021 murder of a 38-year-old man in Burnaby, B.C.
-
End of the Eras: Vancouver sweeps up after Taylor Swift's final bow
Pop star Taylor Swift has thanked Vancouver for hosting the final show of her "beloved Eras Tour."
-
Vancouver Island
-
Burnaby RCMP announce charges in 2021 murder case
Mounties say two men have been charged in the 2021 murder of a 38-year-old man in Burnaby, B.C.
-
Taylor Swift ends record-smashing Eras Tour in Vancouver, after glittering global run
Taylor Swift took the stage for the final time on her record-smashing Eras Tour, watched by tens of thousands of delirious fans in Vancouver's BC Place arena and by millions on livestreams around the world.
-
Some cancer patients may forgo care due to high treatment-related costs: report
Since Natalie Lipschultz was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in 2019, she estimates the illness has cost her more than $20,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.
