Tuesday, February 6, 2018

News Release - Winnipeg Police Service

Winnipeg Police Service
 
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
 
Public Advisory – Virtual Kidnapping
 
The Winnipeg Police Service continues to receive reports of the "virtual kidnapping" scam that has surfaced recently in Winnipeg.
 
The scam, known as virtual kidnapping, has been around for a number of years, but until recently has not been seen locally. According to an FBI website, virtual kidnapping is an extortion scheme which tricks the victim into paying a ransom to free a loved one who they are made to believe is being threatened with violence or death.
 
The threats are often made over the phone from an unfamiliar or private number and sometimes involve a male or female purporting to be the "kidnapped" loved one during the call in an attempt to add credibility. In fact, no one has been kidnapped, but the victims are threatened and coerced to believe they have, and quickly pay a ransom.
 
The Winnipeg Police Service has received at least 4 reports of these frauds. During two incidents in early January, victims wired funds to an out-of-country area code. During an incident on February 5, a victim intended to wire funds out-of-country but was stopped by an employee at the banking/postal business. In all cases, the amounts were less than $5,000.
 
Safeguards to prevent being a victim of this type of fraud are outlined in the FBI link; FBI Virtual Kidnapping
 
If you have been targeted by this type of fraud please call the Winnipeg Police at (204) 986-6222. Frauds can also be reported online at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
 
Road Rage Incident – Arrest: C18-4267
 
As previously released on January 12, 2018:
 
On January 7, 2018, the Winnipeg Police Service was notified that a 63-year-old male had been the victim of a road rage incident. The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. the day before in the area of the Centennial Concert Hall. 
 
Officer met with the victim and learned that he was being picked up on Market Street between Market Street and Main Street after attending a show. As he was attempting to get into the rear seat of a silver SUV, a white Mercedes Benz was attempting to merge through traffic from behind.  A male then exited the Mercedes and assaulted the male by punching him in the upper body. 
 
The victim was transported to hospital in stable condition by a family member. He has since been discharged and is waiting for surgery.
 
Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued with the investigation and identified a suspect.
 
On February 5, 2018, the suspect turned himself in at the Winnipeg Police Headquarters building.
 
Justin Peter Karpluk, a 20-year-old male of West St. Paul, has been charged with:
 
- Aggravated Assault
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order
 
He was detained in custody.
 

For further information contact either:
   Constable Rob Carver, Public Information Officer
   Constable Jay Murray, Public Information Officer
   Constable Tammy Skrabek, Public Information Officer
   Kelly Dehn, Manager of Public Affairs

   
   Phone: (204) 986-3061 | Fax: (204) 986-3267 | Email:
WPS-PIO@Winnipeg.ca

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