By Walter Beaver and Francis “Franky” Facts | North of Polite Fact Department

The caller said he was from a major telecommunications company. The company was upgrading service in the neighbourhood, he explained, and needed to run an internet-speed assessment. It sounded like an ordinary technical-support request. By the time police arrived, the supposed service call had become an attempted fraud involving approximately $2.9 million.

According to a Toronto Police Service release issued November 6, officers interrupted the incident on Thursday, November 5, after receiving a warning from the Edmonton Police Service. No money was transferred, police said. The case illustrates both how quickly a false tech-support call can escalate and how valuable a timely warning can be.

From an internet-speed check to online banking

Police say the suspect convinced the victim to install UltraViewer, a legitimate remote-access program that can allow another person to view or control a computer. The use of remote-access software is not inherently criminal; the danger is granting control to a stranger who misrepresents their identity and purpose.

Once connected, the suspect claimed the computer contained problems and viruses that needed fixing. The victim was then directed to open online banking, supposedly to ensure no unauthorized withdrawals had occurred. At that point, officers from Toronto’s 32 Division arrived at the home. The victim was still on a video call with the suspects and was in the process of accessing banking information.

The officers explained the deception and instructed the resident not to authorize any transaction. According to police, the callers disconnected when officers tried to speak with them, but signs of remote activity continued on the computer. The intervention prevented the financial transfer.

Why this approach can fool people

The scammer did not begin by announcing a demand for money. The opening request was a plausible service improvement. The alleged computer problems provided a second reason to keep the call going, and the banking request was disguised as a precaution rather than a withdrawal. Each stage made the next seem more ordinary.

Caller identification, a company name and even a live video call cannot establish that the person on the other end is who they claim to be. A genuine-looking conversation is not the same as independent verification.

What to do if someone asks to control your computer

Do not install remote-access software because an unexpected caller tells you to do so. End the call and contact the company using the number printed on your bill or its official website. Never open your banking session while an unverified caller can view or control your device.

If access has already been granted, disconnect the affected device from the internet and contact your bank immediately from another device. Ask a reputable computer professional to inspect the machine before using it again for banking, and report suspected fraud to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

In this case, communication between Edmonton and Toronto officers prevented a potentially devastating loss. The lesson for the rest of us is simpler: no unsolicited internet service call should end with a stranger controlling your computer and watching you open your bank account.

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