
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Manitoba RCMP is warning the public to be alert to fraudulent phone calls appearing to come from the Mounties.
Police say the calls state there is a warrant out for their arrest and to make a payment via Bitcoin or money transfer to rectify the problem.
“We’ve been made aware of this incident occurring a number of times this past week in Manitoba,” said Cpl. Julie Courchaine of the Manitoba RCMP.
“The scam is designed to create anxiety so that victims respond by sending money quickly in order to fix the problem. We want to remind the public that the RCMP would never contact individuals through email or telephone to request payment or monetary transfers.”
The fraudsters are using caller ID spoofing to make it appear as the call is originating from the RCMP.
Police say if you or someone you know has received the call, contact local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or file a report online.