Huron County OPP report assault; and victim of romance scam

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING POLICE AFTER MISCHIEF COMPLAINT

(GODERICH, ON) - The Huron County OPP has charged an individual, following an incident in the Town of Goderich.

Sunday, Dec. 28, just before 5 p.m., Huron OPP officers were contacted about a dispute where an individual reportedly damaged property at an address on Lighthouse Street in Goderich. While investigating the mischief, the suspect threw liquid on an OPP officer.

Terrence HIGGS, 32, of Goderich was charged with:
 

• Mischief Under $5,000
• Assault a Peace Officer

The accused was held for a bail hearing, and later released from custody with a court appearance scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice - Goderich, Feb. 2, 2026.

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*
 

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ON-LINE ROMANCE SCAM IN HURON COUNTY

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - The Huron County OPP is investigating a recent romance fraud in Huron County.

A Bluewater resident has lost more than $60,000 to the scam. This latest incident involved an on-line dating application (app) with an unknown person claiming to have financial problems, needing assistance. The fraudster convinced the 58-year-old victim to send multiple monetary amounts via E-transfers and Bitcoin ATM machine deposits over a three-month period.

From Aug. 30 to Dec. 29, the Huron OPP received 11 reports of significant fraud all over Huron County. In nine of these cases, victims believed that their money was being invested in the stock market and in cryptocurrency. Two victims fell for romance-style scams.

In the first nine months of 2025, nationwide, there have been more than 23,000 fraud victims who have reported their losses to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). These losses total more than $544-million.

In 2024, according to the CAFC, fraud reports totalled a staggering $647-million in Canadian victim losses.

NOTE: It is estimated that only five to 10 per cent of victims report scams and frauds to the CAFC or law enforcement.

How to protect yourself?
 

• Don't give out your personal information (name, address, date of birth, social insurance number, banking credentials).
• Don't accept friend requests from people you do not know.
• Don't invest your money in platforms provided by people you don't know.
• Be careful who you share images with. Suspects will often use explicit pictures to extort victims into sending more money.
• Protect your on-line accounts.
• Get more than one quote for home repair work and never feel pressured.
• Never send money to someone you haven't met.
• Don't respond to text messages from phone numbers you do not recognize.
• Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself.

If you fall victim to a fraud, or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or on-line on the Fraud Reporting System, or antifraudcentre.ca, even if a financial loss did not occur.