A resident of St. Thomas, Ontario, lost about $10,000 in a travel-related scam, according to police. The St. Thomas Police Service issued a warning on July 5, 2026, as they investigate the fraud.
The person was tricked by an online booking that turned out to be fake. Police are reminding everyone to double-check websites and never send money or share personal details without being sure they are dealing with a real company.
This loss is part of a growing problem across Canada. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says Canadians lost over $704 million to fraud in 2025, bringing total losses since 2022 to more than $2.4 billion. Officials believe the real number is much higher because only 5% to 10% of frauds are reported.
Travel scams often use websites that look real but are made with artificial intelligence, making them harder to spot. A survey commissioned by Flight Centre Canada found that nearly one in three Canadians has been a victim of a travel scam. Separate research from Airbnb and the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators found that 71% of Canadians believe AI is making these tricks more convincing.
Anyone with details on the St. Thomas case can call the St. Thomas Police Service, referencing file number ST26012561. To report fraud, contact local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through its online reporting system.
