MONTREAL – The Financial Crime Unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ontario is warning the public about an ongoing phone scam by people claiming to be employees from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The fraudsters typically attempt to extort money from immigrants with heavy accents by using various threats, including kidnapping the victim’s children.
“These are very serious threats,” said Sgt. Penny Hermann of the RCMP.
“We have created a social media campaign to raise awareness.”
It’s a crime that one woman in Montreal’s West Island has managed to divert more than once.
“It happens many, many times,” said Grace Kozubska, manager of the Canada Post office in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
The most recent case happened Monday, Jan. 4 when an senior asked her to send $2,500 in cash to the United States.
“People should think before they send money,” said Kozubska, who added that many customers get angry when she tries to convince them that it’s a scam.
Montreal police won’t confirm whether they’ve received any calls from possible victims.
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