Ottawa Valley resident down $100k in crypto investment scam
Petawawa resident has reportedly lost more than $100,000 in a long-standing cryptocurrency investment scam.
On Wednesday March 25, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., members of the Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were notified of the fraud and began their investigation, which is still ongoing.
While this investigation remains in its infancy, it is important to recognize a potential investment fraud ahead of time: a cryptocurrency investment fraud occurs when a victim is tricked into putting their money into fake cryptocurrency opportunities. This often starts with advertisements on social media, dating sites, or search engines that promote exciting investments with promises of quick profits. Victims might start with a small investment and are then contacted by those involved in the fraud, who may guide them to download trading apps or set up a cryptocurrency wallet. Once they transfer their cryptocurrency, they often find they can’t access or withdraw their funds, as the money has been taken by the individuals behind the scam. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), victims reported losing over $351 million to cryptocurrency investment frauds in 2025 alone.
Here are some warning signs that you may have encountered a fraudulent investment opportunity:
- Investment opportunities with higher-than-normal returns
- Unsolicited telephone, email or social media investment offers
- Displays of urgency so you don’t miss out
- An individual met on a dating or social media website who quickly attempts to convince you to invest into cryptocurrency
- A friend tells you about a cryptocurrency investment opportunity via social media or email
- Telephone calls from cryptocurrency investment companies
- Fraudulent advertisements posted on the internet or social media
- Request to transfer your cryptocurrency investment to an alternate crypto address
Remember that police services, government agencies (including the Canada Revenue Agency), and banking institutions will never request you pay them with cryptocurrency.
If a scam artist contacts you or if you have been defrauded contact your local police service or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website at www.antifraudcentre.ca
Peever,S.,OPP Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment(2026,Mar.27) INDIVIDUAL LOSES OVER $100,000 IN CRYPTOCURRENCY INVESTMENT FRAUD [media release]
Editor’s note: Scroll down for more information about protecting yourself from cryptocurrency scams, including links to OPP videos on social media
Wanted individual arrested in Eganville
Officers with the Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recently arrested a man wanted since the Fall of 2025 for several offences in the UOV OPP and Renfrew OPP Detachment areas.
On the morning of Thursday March 26, 2026, UOV OPP Offender Management and Apprehension Program (OMAP) officers, with assistance from the OPP Bail Support Team, executed arrest warrants at a location on Highway 60 in Eganville.
Braden BAUMHOUR, age 25 of Pembroke, was taken into custody without incident and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Break and enter a place, commit indictable offence – two counts
- Theft under $5000 – two counts
- Fraud under $5000
- Trafficking in stolen goods under $5000
- Failure to comply with probation order – three counts
The accused was held for a bail hearing and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Peever,S.,OPP Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment(2026,Mar.26) WANTED INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED IN EGANVILLE [media release]
OPP arrest wanted individual in Head, Clara and Maria
Officers with the Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recently arrested an individual wanted for bail violation offences in relation to a prior Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) incident.
On Wednesday March 25, 2026, UOV OPP Offender Management and Apprehension Program (OMAP) officers, with assistance from the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Canine Unit, executed an arrest warrant at a residence in Head, Clara and Maria Township.
A 51-year-old was taken into custody without incident and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Failure to comply with release order – four counts
The accused was held for a bail hearing and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on a future date. Due to the IPV component of this investigation, the name of the accused is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim. The investigation by UOV OPP OMAP officers began on March 16, 2026.
If you or someone you know is living in or involved in an abusive relationship help is available. Contact Bernadette McCann House 24/7 for support, advice, or the safety of a shelter at 1-800-267-4930. The Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County is also available 24/7 for information and support at 1-800-663-3060. You can also attend the emergency department of any hospital in Renfrew County and ask to speak to a member of the Assault Response Team. Victim Services of Renfrew County is also available to provide emotional and practical assistance to people who have experienced domestic violence. They can be reached at 613-649-2852 or toll free at 1-877-568-5730. In emergencies call 9-1-1.
The Offender Management Apprehension Program (OMAP) is a crime suppression program designed to deter the criminal activities of repeat offenders. The program focuses on those who pose a risk to the safety of communities and individuals and are often involved in repeat criminal behaviour.
Peever,S.,OPP Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment(2026,Mar.26)
WANTED INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED IN HEAD, CLARA AND MARIA TOWNSHIP [media release]
WANTED: Federal offender Clint Guitor
(OTTAWA, ON)
The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of his Statutory Release.
Photo submitted.
Clint GUITOR is described as an Caucasion male, 44 years old, 5’7″(170cm), 165lbs(75kgs), with brown hair and blue eyes. He has the following tattoos and scars:
- Right Upper Arm – Leaf
- Right Upper arm – Blue Dice
- Upper Lip – Scar
- Left Fore arm – Scar
- Forehead – Scar
GUITOR is serving a 2 year sentence for:
- Robbery.
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order x5
- Theft Under $5000 x2
- Possession of Property Obtianed by crime under $5000.
The offender is known to frequent Ottawa and the Surrounding area.
Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.
McGuire, D/Sgt.M(2026,Mar.26)OPP News Portal FEDERAL OFFENDER WANTED- Clint GUITOR [media release]
Cryptocurrency scams continue in Eastern Ontario
Cryptocurrency-related fraud continues to impact individuals and communities across eastern Ontario. Fraudsters commonly exploit fear, urgency and secrecy to pressure victims into sending cryptocurrency, often through cryptocurrency ATMs, as these transfers can be fast, difficult to reverse and can be routed to criminals and criminal networks anywhere in the world.
Eastern Ontario now has over 300 crypto ATMs (40 within OPP jurisdiction), allowing the scammers to quickly direct victims to a nearby kiosk.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has seen numerous fraud themes including:
- Investment frauds
- Job / employment scams
- Relationship and romance scams
- Extortion scams
- Recovery scams (promises to recover lost crypto for a fee)
- Bank investigator scams
- Service scams (fake services, invoices, tech help, etc.)
During Fraud prevention Month in March, Community Engagement Officers at OPP detachments will work with local businesses, where crypto ATMs are located, to deliver fraud prevention materials and messaging. OPP Auxiliary members will also support community-based fraud-prevention education.
Common red flags to watch for, include:
- An urgent issue (account compromised, warrant, overdue bill, hacked device)
- Pressured to act immediately or threatened with arrest, fines, or embarrassment
- You are instructed to withdraw cash and deposit it into a crypto ATM
- You are told to keep it secret, not speak to family, bank staff or police
A video has been posted on OPP East Region social media platforms:
If you used a crypto ATM and believe you have been the victim of a fraud, keep the receipt and record the kiosk location and any support number listed on the machine.
Take screenshots and capture crypto wallet addresses, transaction IDs, receipts, text messages, emails and phone numbers.
Contact your local OPP detachment at 1-888-310-1122 and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or call 1-888-495-8501.
You can also learn more about current and emerging scams on the Anti-Fraud Centre website.
Dickson,B.,OPP East Region(2026,Mar.12) CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS CONTINUE TO IMPACT VICTIMS – Crypto ATMs Increasingly Used to Move Stolen Funds Worldwide [media release]