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Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 5 AUDIT Continued from front requested the audit is not responsible for the cost of the audit. The municipality paid their solicitor, Dennis Hefferon $31,415 in fees for the legal services he contributed on this issue. An audit of Mayor Jim Abernethy's 2006 campaign expenses was also conducted in 2007, at the request of a Mr. Ron Webb. The firm Laing & Rohr of Oshawa reported to council in August 2007 that "the Electoral Campaign of James Abernethy is in compliance, in all significant respects with the Ontario Municipal Act." The Municipality sent Webb a bill for the $1,590 cost of the audit. Barrie confirmed this week that that bill remains unpaid. A collection agency was hired to collect the amount, according to Barrie, but their file was closed as they exhausted all efforts in attempting to collect the account. Durham Regional Police Services Online dating scam Durham Regional Police investigators are warning the public about Online Dating scams. DRPS Fraud investigators have noted an increase in the number of victims involved in Online Dating scams, who have suffered financial loss, through sending money or the disclosure of their personal information. Recently between the dates of February 13 - 26, 2010, several female victims reported to police their contact with male acquaintances through an online dating service, which led to financial losses. The suspects stated they were involved in various workrelated charity efforts, out of the country, and requested funds be sent to them in Nigeria. The victims also agreed to release personal identification including their financial details to the suspects and were soon afterwards debited substantial amounts of money from their personal accounts. Investigators noted that many male and female victims have been defrauded after several months of communicating with suspects. In many cases victims had been 'worked' for months until the suspect feels the victims are ready to be duped. Scams like this have been around for years as seen in this link from 2005: http://www.msnbc.msn.co m/id/8704213/ DRPS would like to remind the public that criminals target all web sites and dating sites are no exception. The public is warned to be careful when using the internet and never send money or disclose their personal information. Anyone with new information regarding this incident or other investigations is asked to contact a member of the Major Crime Fraud Unit at 1888-579-1520 ext. 5232. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers Program at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.