Burnaby RCMP issues public warning after phone scammer poses as Victim Services employee

Burnaby RCMP would like to warn the public of a recent phone scam where a fraudster posed as a Burnaby RCMP Victim Services employee.

On March 27, 2023, a man in his 80s reported a fraud attempt to Burnaby RCMP.

The man, who had unfortunately lost money to a so-called grandparent scam last summer, received a phone call from a person claiming to work for Burnaby RCMP Victim Services who said she could help him recover the lost funds. The scammer verbally provided the legitimate Burnaby RCMP Victim Services phone number to the senior as a callback number.

However, when the caller could not provide any identification, the victim realized it was a scam and contacted police.

It is unfortunately not uncommon for police to see victims of fraud targeted more than once.

We would like to recognize this senior for identifying this as a scam and coming forward to police. We are continuing to investigate this file, said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP. It’s disgusting to see a scammer posing as a Victim Services employee while trying to defraud this senior for a second time.

Burnaby RCMP Victim Services offers emotional support, assistance, and referrals to people impacted by crime and trauma. Victim Services employees will never ask for money or offer to assist victims in recovering lost money.

Anyone who receives a suspicious phone call from someone who claims to work for the Burnaby RCMP, including the Victim Services Unit, is asked to hang up right away and call the non-emergency line at 604-646-9999.

For more information on frauds affecting Canadians, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

To learn more about Grandparent Scams, please see this Burnaby RCMP News Release: Burnaby RCMP warns public of fraudsters targeting seniors with Grandparent Scam