Urgent Warning: RCMP Impersonators Targeting Burnaby Residents in Vicious Scam!

An alarming wave of scams is sweeping through Burnaby, British Columbia, as fraudsters with cunning tactics are impersonating RCMP officers, trapping unsuspecting residents in a web of fear and financial demands. Burnaby RCMP has issued an urgent public warning, urging everyone to be vigilant and informed about these insidious schemes designed to steal significant sums of money.

The scam operates with chilling precision: victims receive phone calls from individuals claiming to be genuine RCMP officers.

These callers often use sophisticated phone number spoofing technology, making their calls appear to originate from legitimate police divisions. Once they have a victim on the line, they craft elaborate stories, typically alleging that there is an active warrant out for the victim's arrest, often linked to fictitious tax issues, money laundering, or other serious crimes.

The pressure tactics are immediate and intense.

To avoid immediate arrest, the scammers demand payment, often specifying methods that are difficult to trace, such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. They create a powerful sense of urgency and panic, threatening immediate arrest if the demands are not met.

They may even instruct victims to stay on the line or avoid contacting anyone else, isolating them further and preventing them from verifying the claims. Tragically, several Burnaby residents have already fallen victim to these coercive tactics, losing substantial amounts of money.

Burnaby RCMP stresses a crucial fact: genuine RCMP officers will NEVER demand money or gift cards over the phone to resolve a legal issue or avoid arrest.

They will also NEVER threaten immediate arrest if payments are not made in this manner. Any request for payment using unconventional methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or e-transfers in exchange for avoiding arrest is an unequivocal sign of a scam.

The police are advising residents to take immediate action if they receive such a call.

The most important step is to hang up the phone immediately. Do not engage with the caller, and do not provide any personal or financial information. If you wish to verify the legitimacy of a call you suspect might be from the RCMP, do not call back the number provided by the scammer. Instead, look up the official non-emergency number for the Burnaby RCMP (604-646-9999) or your local police detachment and call them directly to inquire.

Alternatively, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) for guidance.

Staying informed and exercising caution are your best defenses against these relentless fraudsters. Share this vital information with friends, family, and vulnerable members of your community to help protect everyone from becoming the next victim of these heartless scams.