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A man from Brampton has been charged in connection to a romance scam investigation.

Prince Amoah, 30, was charged for allegedly being involved in the scam. He faces up to $5,000 in fees.

The York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit have been conducting the investigation since September 2018.

A woman contacted the police claiming she was the victim of fraud. She reported that she started communicating with the suspect on an online dating site for about a month before he started to ask for money.

Investigators believe that there is another suspect involved in the scam. They also believe there are more victims and are asking them to come forward.

Amoah will be appearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

Romance scams are a type of fraud where the suspect creates a false dating profile and goes to great lengths to make this false identity believable. Police say the suspect will use a number of tactics and schemes to build trust and create a relationship with the victim. As the relationship gets more serious for the victim, they feel inclined to send money to the con artist.

Residents are advised to be suspicious of any calls, emails or social media messages that ask for personal information. Don't trust any requests for personal information or payment methods that feel not right.

Police also encourage residents to share fraud prevention tips with friends and family. Seniors or newcomers to Canada are especially vulnerable, as they are frequently targeted by frauds and scams.

If you have been the victim of fraud or a scam, you should contact York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6627 as soon as possible.

If you wish to report a fraud or scam you may call 1-888-495-8501 or visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/