The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP said they are investigating a business inspection fraud reported in Pembroke.
They said the business was scammed out of almost $2,000 by someone posing as a safety/fire inspector.
An employee was told advanced payment was needed to ship supplies for a future inspection and was directed not to inform their manager.
They were sent QR codes and directed to deposit money through a cryptocurrency ATM machine.
OPP said they have received reports of three similar incidents at eastern Ontario businesses since Jan. 5.
They said warning signs of potential inspection frauds include demands for immediate payment, threats of closing down your business, and requests for personal and financial information over the phone or at an initial meeting.
To protect your business, they advise verifying the inspector’s credentials with the right governing body and never paying on the spot.
