The North District RCMP is sounding the alarm about a surge in high-value fraud schemes specifically targeting Indigenous communities and businesses.
In the past 15 months alone, scammers have fraudulently siphoned over $3 million from communities in the North District, and evidence suggests that similar fraudulent activities are being carried out across the country, the RCMP reports.
Police say the sophisticated scams often involve a combination of misrepresentation, technological manipulation and the exploitation of trust within tight-knit communities.
Fraudsters are using various deceptive tactics, including posing as legitimate vendors, contractors, or consultants, to gain access to valuable business contacts and financial records.
One common method is the creation of fraudulent email addresses that closely resemble those of legitimate community organizations or vendors. Using these counterfeit identities, scammers can request banking updates, redirect payments and transfer assets into accounts under their control.
The North District RCMP is urging community leaders, businesses and individuals to be extra vigilant, carefully verify credentials, and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
Authorities are actively investigating these incidents and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward by contacting their local police detachment.
