West Kelowna RCMP warn of sophisticated police impersonation scam

Not only are scammers spoofing the West Kelowna RCMP phone number, they now use video calls to reel in victims.

RCMP have issued a warning after two reports overnight of the sophisticated fraud targeting people in Ontario and somewhere in BC.

“This scam is very elaborate and convincing,” RCMP media relations officer Const. Ash Puri said in a press release issued, Feb. 26.

Once the scam artists had their victim on the phone and they were then directed to a video call with the fraudsters dressed as police officers.

The suspects tried to get their victims to give up personal and financial information to be used later to extort them for large amounts of money, RCMP said.

“We want to stress that the RCMP will never ask for money, personal banking information, or private identification details over the phone or through video chat,” Const. Puri said.

Here are some tips from RCMP on how not to become the latest victim of a scam.

Police will never:

If you get a suspicious call:

• Hang up immediately

• Do not provide personal or financial information

• Look up your local detachment’s number independently

• Contact your local police

For more information about fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim, check out this RCMP website.