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Regina police said a person in the city has recently fallen victim to a phone scam that cost them nearly $5,000.
Someone claiming to be with Canada Post called the victim and told them a package for the victim was being held for security reasons. The victim was offered the opportunity to speak with Regina police and CSIS for confirmation of this.
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The victim received two more calls from individuals who claimed to be with these agencies. One came from the Regina Police Service phone number – 306-777-6500 – which police said in a release was spoofed to appear real.
Then, the victim was told to deposit cash into a bitcoin machine, located in Regina’s south end. The caller asked the victim to do this a second time, which is when the victim became suspicious and reported the incident to police.
Regina police are reminding people to be on guard after this incident.
Official organizations like police, banks, governments and Canada Post will not ask people to withdraw money as a solution to problematic situations.
Police recommend never sharing personal information during an unsolicited call and encourage people to never be afraid to say no and hang up their phones. People are also encouraged to not send money to anyone you do not know.
Anyone who thinks they might be a victim or suspects someone might be trying to defraud them is advised to call police immediately.
Saskatchewan residents warned of fraudulent letters: RCMP
The Saskatchewan RCMP are also warning people in the province of an increase in fraudulent letters reportedly being delivered by mail.
These letters are being received by people in communities across Saskatchewan, RCMP said in a release.
The incidents involve a person receiving a letter in the mail – usually in a handwritten envelope addressed to the recipient – claiming they have won a “Set for Life” lottery prize. The sender identified in the letter is the “president of operations” of the “Set for Life” lottery organization.
The letters have stated that the recipient has won an amount of money. Contact information for the recipient to receive the money is listed.
Other identifying characteristics of the letters include the note being written on “Set for Life Lottery” letterhead and details including the recipient’s mailing address, a return address, a subject line and file number, a set of “winning” lottery numbers, the amount of money won (usually a lump sum), instructions to call a phone number to win and a “guarantee of safety and security,” according to Saskatchewan RCMP.
Police note the return address and phone number listed in these letters are not associated with a real lottery company.
“Do not respond to the letter, call the number, or provide personal information over the phone,” police said in the release.
RCMP said people should be aware and protect themselves from fraudulent mail by being cautious of any unexpected mail that claims the recipient has won a prize or owes urgent costs, by not sharing personal or financial information with senders who are not known or verified and to avoid calling phone numbers or visiting websites listed in potentially suspicious letters.
Mounties are continuing to investigate these letters. Anyone who receives or has received a similar piece of mail is encouraged to report it to their local police body or Crime Stoppers and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
