Burnaby RCMP is warning the public that one of its detachment phone numbers was recently spoofed and used in a telephone scam.

Spoofing is when a caller identification (caller ID) or call display are manipulated to show trusted phone numbers.

On November 29, 2021, Burnaby RCMP received a report that a victim transferred $6,000 to a scammer through Bitcoin because the call appeared to come from a Burnaby RCMP detachment phone number.

The victim initially received a call from a scammer, who advised that they owed money and if they did not pay, they would receive a call from the RCMP. The victim initially did not believe the scammer, but later received another phone call.

The second call spoofed a Burnaby RCMP phone number, making it appear the call was coming from police. The victim then deposited the money.

The RCMP do not contact individuals through email or telephone for the purpose of collecting money.

Don’t be a victim of fraud, said Corporal Mike Kalanj of the Burnaby RCMP. There are many ways to protect yourself from being a victim, please follow the link provided for tips. Please talk about these scams with friends and neighbours to help spread the word.