Fraudsters have netted more than $400,000 in a new scam that uses threats of deportation and arrest, targeting the Chinese community in Richmond.
The Richmond RCMP's Economic Crime Unit is sending out a warning after five reports that involved fraudsters posing as employees of an Asian-based telecom service.
The first report of this new scam was received by police on Christmas Eve.
In all cases, the victims receive a call from someone posing as a representative of a legitimate Asian telecom service that provides phone, VOIP and television services.
During the course of the conversation the victim gets transferred
to an alleged Chinese police officer who indicates their phone number has been used illegally and they must pay in order to avoid deportation and arrest.
This seems to be a new version of the "foreign police scam," said Cpl. Denise Kam with the Richmond RCMP's economic crime unit.
Fraudsters will make slight changes to their tactics or approach in an attempt to lure in new victims,
Kam said.
In 2024 in Richmond alone, more than $38 million was reported lost by victims to fraud.
Richmond RCMP recommend the public regularly check the Canada Anti-Fraud Centre website to stay up-to-date with the latest frauds and scams in Canada.
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