EDMONTON – The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) says scammers claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency are targeting immigrants in the city, demanding money that’s apparently owed to the government.
Detective Mo Banga with the EPS says the scammers have been phoning people and telling them they have not filed their taxes properly, or have not registered themselves as alien immigrants.
The victims are told to purchase pre-paid Visa cards and then provide the caller with the information on the back of the card. Banga says people have paid out thousands of dollars to the scammers.
“They entice the complainants to pay that money immediately,” said Banga. “For people that made Canada their home recently, they don’t want to go back into that situation where they came from.”
Banga says victims are also being threatened with fines, jail time and deportation.
In one case, which happened at the end of February, a couple fell victim to the scam and paid out $34,400.
“The people will be apprehended sooner or later. However, chances of seeing that money are not that great,” said Banga.
Police are asking people to be aware of the scam, including retailers.
“In one case actually, the whole scam was averted because the store keeper… was pretty inquisitive and asked all of these questions and convinced the complainant to go to the police station rather than buying these cards,” Banga explained.
The EPS says about 40 people have come forward to report the scam, but believes there are many more victims out there.
Police are asking anyone who receives a suspicious call to phone the CRA to confirm the request is legitimate.
The EPS believes the suspects are operating out of Ontario.
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