Help Madison Burke (Coulter)
Donation protected
We are writing on behalf of Madison Marie Burke, myself (her Grandmother, Judy Brandon (Lusk), and her Mother, Amanda Coulter). Madison is originally from Barrie, ON but just a few months shy of her 18th birthday, was accepted by the prestigious Carleton University and moved to Ottawa. Though a very intelligent young lady, she is still very naïve and suffered insurmountable pain and anxiety when she was the target of a scam. This scam has been circulating the Ottawa area for months, and has escalated since June 2018 and literally hundreds of people have fallen for it. Madison lost $5000, her hard-earned money that was saved by working two jobs and OSAP supplement. Now she is faced with another school year with no money in the bank, she is not even certain that she can continue with Carleton if her obligations cannot be met.
Following in her own words is a statement of what happened:
“On Friday, September 20th, I was scammed by a group of people impersonating Service Canada. I received a phone call in the late afternoon stating that it was Service Canada, and that there was an investigation in my name and if I were to hang up the phone, it could be cause for arrest . Then I was connected to someone telling me there was a long list of allegations against my SIN and there is a warrant out for my arrest.
I began to panic and freak out, however, they calmed me down by telling me there was reason to believe I was innocent and they needed my full co-operation . I was told I couldn’t contact any outside parties as it could interfere with the investigation and would be illegal.
They then connected me to the “local RCMP” but using the same number that the local office does use. They told me there were 25 bank accounts under my name, racking up costs close to $1,000,000! So, they said they needed to freeze all the accounts but in order to protect my funds we needed to safeguard the amount They convinced me to drive to my nearest bank and withdraw all the money in my account - $5000. They then sent me to a bitcoin machine and I proceeded to buy bitcoins, with the intent I would be receiving the funds the next day.
They gave me the names of two Service Canada officers that were going to deliver a cheque in the amount I deposited and said they would be here the next day … they never came.”
The reason we are setting up a gofundme account:
1. Of course, to replenish the money scammed from Madison, to enable her to stay in school.
2. To make other people aware of this scam, and not to fall prey to their threats and intimidation.
Many of you have already expressed your sympathy, anger, understanding how this could have happened without being incriminating, and you can’t possibly know how much we appreciate this. Your financial donation will be greatly appreciated. Madison has experienced a tough life lesson, but it should not affect her ability to continue with her schooling, and we have to make her feel secure again.
Following in her own words is a statement of what happened:
“On Friday, September 20th, I was scammed by a group of people impersonating Service Canada. I received a phone call in the late afternoon stating that it was Service Canada, and that there was an investigation in my name and if I were to hang up the phone, it could be cause for arrest . Then I was connected to someone telling me there was a long list of allegations against my SIN and there is a warrant out for my arrest.
I began to panic and freak out, however, they calmed me down by telling me there was reason to believe I was innocent and they needed my full co-operation . I was told I couldn’t contact any outside parties as it could interfere with the investigation and would be illegal.
They then connected me to the “local RCMP” but using the same number that the local office does use. They told me there were 25 bank accounts under my name, racking up costs close to $1,000,000! So, they said they needed to freeze all the accounts but in order to protect my funds we needed to safeguard the amount They convinced me to drive to my nearest bank and withdraw all the money in my account - $5000. They then sent me to a bitcoin machine and I proceeded to buy bitcoins, with the intent I would be receiving the funds the next day.
They gave me the names of two Service Canada officers that were going to deliver a cheque in the amount I deposited and said they would be here the next day … they never came.”
The reason we are setting up a gofundme account:
1. Of course, to replenish the money scammed from Madison, to enable her to stay in school.
2. To make other people aware of this scam, and not to fall prey to their threats and intimidation.
Many of you have already expressed your sympathy, anger, understanding how this could have happened without being incriminating, and you can’t possibly know how much we appreciate this. Your financial donation will be greatly appreciated. Madison has experienced a tough life lesson, but it should not affect her ability to continue with her schooling, and we have to make her feel secure again.
Organizer and beneficiary
Judy Brandon
Organizer
Barrie, ON
Madison Burke
Beneficiary