Unauthorized sponsorship requests target local vendors
Thunder Bay — Thunder Bay Police Service is cautioning local businesses and food vendors after several unsolicited emails sought a $500 deposit for sponsorship or vendor opportunities purportedly linked to the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Police say the messages were sent from the email address miketallarithunderbaynorthstars@yahoo.com and that the communications are not authorised by the Thunder Bay North Stars. The person or persons behind the messages do not represent the hockey team in any capacity, police added.
How the scam is pitched and what police advise
According to the Thunder Bay Police Service, the emails invite recipients to apply to become sponsors or vendors at North Stars home games and request a deposit to secure the opportunity. Businesses are being warned that contact details and identifying information can be spoofed to appear legitimate.
"Those communications are not authorized by the Thunder Bay North Stars."
Police are advising anyone who receives a sponsorship, vendor or payment request to verify it independently using contact information from the team's official channels rather than replying to the suspicious message or using phone numbers or links supplied in the email.
- Do not send deposits, banking details or credit-card information until the request is confirmed.
- Obtain contact details from the Thunder Bay North Stars’ official website or verified social channels.
- Report suspicious communications to the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Legal context and ongoing investigation
No charges have been announced in connection with the matter. Police noted that, generally, section 380 of the Criminal Code addresses fraud offences involving deceit or falsehood used to deprive a person or organisation of money, property or another valuable interest.
| Issue | Advice |
|---|---|
| Unauthorized sponsorship email | Verify via official team contacts; do not send funds |
| Request from miketallarithunderbaynorthstars@yahoo.com | Consider message suspicious; contact police if necessary |
The alert arrives as local businesses prepare for a busy autumn of community events and hockey games. For many vendors, the season represents important revenue and visibility; scams that mimic legitimate community partners can undermine both trust and livelihoods.
Thunder Bay’s small-business community often relies on direct relationships with local sports organisations and event organisers to secure vendor space and sponsorships. Police warnings like this one underscore the need for extra caution: fraudsters can and do exploit familiar names and local institutions to persuade recipients to act quickly without checking credentials.
Business owners and vendors who receive suspicious sponsorship or vendor solicitations should preserve the original message, document any communications and contact the Thunder Bay Police Service to report the incident. Confirmation should come from contact information found on the Thunder Bay North Stars’ authorised channels, not from details contained in the unsolicited email.
As this is an active advisory, the Thunder Bay Police Service did not announce charges or further investigative updates at the time of the notice. Residents and business owners are encouraged to remain vigilant and to confirm requests before transferring funds or sensitive financial information.
