Scam targets 2SLGBTQIA+ organization in Waterloo Region

A person with red fingernails types on a laptop in this undated stock image. (cottonbro studio/Pexels.com)

An organization dedicated to supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Waterloo Region said they were recently targeted by a scammer.

Spectrum said it all began with an emotional email from a person who claimed to be a lesbian and whose wife had recently passed away. The email said Spectrum had been named a beneficiary of a $25,000 bequest in her will.

“A bequest in a will is not uncommon for our organization – the reality is that for many elder 2SLGBTQ+ folks, they may have never had the chance to have children or have strong relationships with family because of the prejudices they have faced,” Spectrum’s Executive Director Suzie Taka said in a media release on Thursday.

However, as the group continued to communicate with the sender, they grew concerned about inconsistencies in the story and a money order, with the incorrect amount, was sent to Spectrum. That’s when they determined the whole thing was a scam.

“There was a unique pain in realizing we were being targeted,” Taka said. “They deliberately used the emotional story of an older queer couple to manipulate us. Despite their efforts, we were fortunate to identify the scam early on before any financial loss occurred.”