Toronto Police Service has issued a warning about a fraud scheme that has been active from October 2021 through July 2026, in which victims are persuaded to purchase expensive smartphones, smartwatches and tablets on behalf of the perpetrators.
According to the police, the operation relies on callers who present themselves as representatives of legitimate organisations. The callers contact individuals and claim a need for new devices, then convince the recipients to buy the items and ship them to the fraudsters. The devices involved are described as high‑end electronics, including the latest smartphones, wearable smartwatches and tablet computers.
Police say that complaints have been filed repeatedly over the five‑year period, indicating that the scam has persisted despite ongoing investigations. Each complaint involves a victim who was contacted by phone, given a plausible‑sounding explanation for the purchase, and then asked to arrange payment and delivery of the device. Victims report feeling pressured to act quickly, often after the caller cited an urgent business or charitable need.
The Toronto Police Service has not disclosed the exact number of complaints, but emphasizes that the pattern is consistent across the reported incidents. The agency advises the public to verify the identity of any caller claiming to represent a known organisation before agreeing to any purchase. Residents are also encouraged to contact police if they suspect they have been approached by someone using this tactic.
The warning aims to alert Toronto residents to the possibility of being targeted by a scheme that exploits trust in familiar institutions. By highlighting the method of persuasion—posing as a legitimate representative and requesting the acquisition of costly electronics—the police hope to reduce the number of individuals who fall prey to the fraud.
Anyone who receives an unsolicited call requesting the purchase of a smartphone, smartwatch or tablet for a third party should treat the request with caution and seek independent verification before proceeding.