WRPS warns of growing projector-based scams across Waterloo Region

A warning is going out to students and community members across Waterloo Region, with Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) seeing a growing number of scams centred around projectors.

As of now, officers have noted five particular incidents related to the scam, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 18, focused on individuals attempting to sell projectors at “significantly discounted prices near post-secondary campuses.”

WRPS have said that the units themselves are marketed as being high-end models, but were actually low-cost projectors, being used to deceive potential buyers.

In one particular incident on Sept. 14, a victim is said to have contacted WRPS after falling victim to one of the scams while they were out walking on the University of Waterloo campus before being approached by a group of individuals in a dark-coloured SUV.

“The individuals claimed they were transporting projectors for installation and needed someone to temporarily store a spare unit before it could be sold,” said WRPS in a release.

“The suspects told the victim they would be compensated for storing the projector but required a deposit while the equipment was in the victim’s care.”

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At that point, the suspects then drove the victim to a local bank, where the victim then withdrew $5,000 in cash and provided it to the group to act as that deposit.’

“The suspects subsequently left with the money, leaving the victim with a low-value projector that had been misrepresented as a high-end product.”

That incident and four others still remain under investigation, with no details given as to the number of suspects or their descriptions.

Investigators are reminding residents across the region to be cautious of unsolicited offers that appear too good to be true, and to avoid providing cash, e-transfers, or forms of personal identification to individuals they don’t know.

Anyone with further details on the incidents or the ongoing scam is asked to contact WRPS at 519-570-9777, extension 4496.