Investigators in the Financial Crime Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division are warning citizens about a recent telephone scam.
On March 28 at 7:47 p.m., police received a report that a 23-year-old man had received a call from someone claiming to be with Immigration Canada. The caller told the man that a complaint had been filed against him and he would require legal representation which would cost hundreds of dollars. The victim was asked to forward the funds through a money transfer. The man then received a follow-up call from a man who said he was a police officer and advised the victim to send the money or he would be arrested. The number on the call display was a general inquiries telephone number from Halifax Regional Police which is believed to have been generated by a computer program. The man, believing these to be legitimate calls, followed through with the requests and was defrauded thousands of dollars.
Police have seen an increase in fraudulent activity where callers portray themselves as members of different businesses and agencies and demand money or items of monetary value. Often there are threats involved where the caller states that if the complainant does not immediately do as requested there will be repercussions.
Citizens are advised that Immigration Canada and Halifax Regional Police do not request money or threaten citizens by phone in this manner. Citizens should not engage in conversation with anyone who is making calls of this nature and should hang up immediately.
If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of this or any other scam, please report the matter to your local police agency. There is no need to call police to report that you’ve been contacted in relation to this scam if you’re not a victim.
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Source: Media Release
