Huron County OPP warning local banks about fake passports

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - July 16, just after 3:30 p.m., the Huron County OPP was called to a financial institution in Wingham, responding to the report of possible fraudulent documents and a suspicious person.

Police were contacted by bank staff, advising of a lone male who had attempted to open a bank account using a passport from a foreign country along with immigration papers and other documents. The man advised he lived and worked locally; however, bank staff checked to find that the residential address he provided did not exist.

The bank also confirmed that he was not employed at the local business as he had claimed. When confronted with these findings, the man fled the bank, leaving some of the documents behind.

Huron OPP officers viewed the suspect's passport and confirmed it to be a fake with the Canadian Border Services Agency.

Police believe that the intention of these fraudsters is to open accounts with false identification, then gradually defraud banks of money over time.

Local banks are being made aware of this issue and are encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, if something similar occurs.