Over the past few weeks the RCIPS has received multiple reports of persons falling victim to fraudulent classified online ads of vehicles for sale, posted on a local platform.

When potential victims contact the seller listed on one of these ads, they are advised that they need to pay a deposit for the vehicle. However, once they do so, the scammers cease all contact with the victim, who never receives the vehicle. The ads are also deleted immediately after contact is made.

The ads were posted under the name Simplicity Leasing or Simplicity Lease-To-Own. These incidents are under investigation and a suspect is being sought. The management of the platform is working closely with authorities to investigate and prevent further incidents, and the offending accounts have been banned from the site. 

Police are also investigating an incident where a vehicle was successfully purchased from a seller. However, the seller concealed the fact that the vehicle had a lien on it, and the vehicle was subsequently repossessed from the victim.

The public are being advised to be cautious regarding these fraudulent ads. For vehicle purchases, it is best to view the vehicle before paying any money. Proceed with caution if there is any resistance from the seller in allowing you to do so.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this, or any other scam, is asked to contact police at 949-4222, your local police station, or the RCIPS Financial Crime Investigation Unit at [email protected].