The Saskatchewan RCMP on Friday shared a warning from Mounties in Nova Scotia about an online scam involving a person pretending to be an RCMP officer.
According to a media release, people in two provinces have been targeted to date.
The scammer sends an e-mail saying the recipient is being investigated by the RCMP for fraud and asks for the recipient’s personal and banking information. The perpetrator is using the name of an RCMP officer who used to work for the Mounties in Nova Scotia.
The e-mail is in French and looks to be an official RCMP document. The contact information includes the name and title of a real RCMP officer, but the e-mail address and phone number included are fake.
The Mounties’ release reminded people that police don’t send emails to individuals to say they’re being investigated, nor do they demand gift cards or cryptocurrency as payment.
As well, the RCMP warned individuals not to give personal or financial information in response to a request they didn’t expect.
Anyone who suspects they have been targeted in a scam should contact their local police as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online.