Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after two men allegedly posed as police officers and pressured Kitchener victims into handing over a large sum of money. Police say the suspects claimed they were investigating a prior fraud case involving older adults in the home, then fled after taking cash.

Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a reported robbery in Kitchener after two men allegedly arrived at a home posing as police officers and convinced the victims to produce cash under the guise of a fraud investigation.

The incident was reported shortly before 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the area of Arrowhead Crescent. According to police, the victims said two unknown men came to the residence and claimed they were officers from outside the region. The men allegedly told the occupants that they were investigating a fraud case involving older adults who lived in the home.

Police said the suspects claimed they had arrested people connected to a prior fraud and then began asking questions about cash and valuables inside the residence. When the victims asked for identification, the men reportedly said they were plainclothes officers from the Greater Toronto Area and showed cards worn on chains. Police said they did not provide proper police identification.

During the interaction, the suspects allegedly instructed the victims to retrieve cash from inside the home, saying the money needed to be documented for investigative purposes. Once the funds were produced, one suspect allegedly grabbed the money and both men fled the home. They were reported to have left in a waiting vehicle.

The suspects were described as wearing navy-blue T-shirts, beige khaki pants, brown shoes and navy-blue baseball caps. Police said they left the area in a dark blue Volkswagen Atlas with tinted rear windows.

Investigators are asking residents in the area to review home security footage between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday for anything that may assist the investigation. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.

Police are also warning the public that officers will not request cash, valuables or financial assets for safekeeping, evidence collection or investigative purposes. Proper police identification should include a photo, the officer’s name, rank and police service. Police also said officers, including plainclothes officers, will clearly identify themselves and will not discourage people from verifying their identity.

The case highlights a common tactic in fraud-related impersonation schemes: using urgency, authority and confusion to pressure victims into complying before they have time to verify the story. Anyone approached by someone claiming to be a police officer and asking for money or valuables should pause, avoid handing over property, and independently contact the relevant police service using a verified phone number.

The post Fake Police Officers Rob Kitchener Victims After Claiming to Investigate Fraud appeared first on Canadian Fraud News Inc. | Fraud related news | Fraud in Canada.

Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.