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Nov 4, 2026 2:51 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press
Edmonton police have arrested a man allegedly connected to an international fraud network operating through call centres in Pakistan.
According to police, scammers linked to call centres in Lahore have been targeting residents since 2024 by posing as representatives of major telecommunications companies, including Rogers, Telus and Virgin Mobile. The scheme has resulted in total losses of approximately $20 million for Edmonton residents.
The fraudsters allegedly lured victims with offers of free or heavily discounted cellphones and mobile plans to obtain their personal information. They then arranged for devices ordered from legitimate telecom companies to be delivered to victims' addresses, claiming the shipments had been sent by mistake. The scammers would subsequently resell the devices for profit.
Police arrested a 31-year-old man from north-central Edmonton in early October. During a search, officers seized forgery equipment, fraudulent identification documents and electronic devices.
The suspect is facing charges, including fraud over $5,000.
Investigators have also identified several suspected fraudulent call centres operating in Pakistan.
