The Canada Revenue Agency revealed that a scammer had applied for the CERB in the man's name, and that cheques were going to a fake bank account.

Police say they have investigated a number of incidents between March and May when they say a group of suspects targeted elderly women who were shopping.

Fraudsters are impersonating agencies like the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"(They) forwarded an undisclosed amount of money in order to get that identification. Unfortunately, that identification never arrived."

The Surrey RCMP's Community Response Unit began the investigation in November after someone reported a break-in at a community mailbox.

RCMP said they were called to a luxury hotel on Jan. 4 because the suspects had allegedly fraudulently obtained a room.

"I was confused," said Janis Urniezius, owner of Park Line Coffee. "At first I thought maybe it was a trick."

A Dodge dealership in the small town of Redwater, northeast of Edmonton, says it recent had a holiday surprise that it was fortunate to dodge.

Two men and two women from Regina are facing multiple charges including identity theft and fraud.

Police say the scam is becoming an increasingly popular method for thieves to steal from unsuspecting citizens.