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Victim Defrauded By Impersonators Posing As VicPD And Canada Post

Traffic Advisory
Date Published: 06 Feb 2025, Last Updated: 15 May 2025

Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025 File: 25-4252 Victoria, B.C. – VicPD investigators are warning the public after fraudsters, claiming to be VicPD officers and Canada Post representatives, stole from a victim in a sophisticated scam involving bitcoin, number spoofing, impersonation and the use of “voice over IP” calling. On February 4, at approximately 3:40 p.m., VicPD was contacted by a victim who reported receiving a call from the VicPD non-emergency number displayed on their caller ID. The caller claimed the victim was under investigation for fraud and instructed them to withdraw $3,000 from the bank, go to a specific ATM to buy Bitcoin, and send it to a designated account. The victim withdrew the cash and sent $900, but chose to call police back before sending the remaining amount. The victim told VicPD officers they initially received a call from someone claiming to be with Canada Post, who accurately recited the victim’s address. The caller then requested a picture of the victim’s ID for "verification" and claimed that a package containing fake IDs linked to the victim’s address had been intercepted at the border. The scammer warned that law enforcement would freeze the victim’s bank accounts for money laundering unless a fine was paid in Bitcoin. Unfortunately, in this case it is unlikely the victim’s money will be recovered. “Number spoofing” is a tactic that cybercriminals use to trick your call display into impersonating a legitimate number and authority. VicPD officers and staff have received scam calls with the non-emergency number displayed on the call display. The use of “voice over IP” calling and artificial intelligence automates number spoofing, making it easier for professional fraudsters to target their victims. Better Protect Yourself From Fraud VicPD strongly urges everyone to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls from anyone claiming to be law enforcement or a government agency. Officers will never contact you by phone and demand you pay money, especially to avoid jail time. If someone demands you pay a fine in bitcoin, do not comply. It is a scam. Once money or cryptocurrency has been sent, it is unlikely to be recovered. Therefore, it is crucial to stay vigilant, especially when dealing with fraudsters who are skilled at exploiting people’s trust for personal gain. Trust your instincts and report any suspicious activity immediately. You can learn more about how to protect yourself, your family and your organization from fraud by visiting vicpd.ca/fraud. If you have fallen victim to a fraud, stop payment immediately, contact your financial institution and call the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 extension 1. If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of an attempted fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or by making a report online. 

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