Fraudulent schemes are growing in both sophistication and prevalence across Canada, and Saskatchewan is no exception. From phishing emails to AI-generated impersonations and cryptocurrency scams, Canadians are being targeted daily, often with devastating financial and emotional consequences.
In 2024, Canadians reported $638 million in losses due to fraud, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), a significant increase from $567 million in 2023. However, experts estimate that only 5–10% of frauds are actually reported, suggesting the real loss could exceed $6 billion. Saskatchewan residents are among those impacted, with fraud cases increasing year-over-year in local communities.
The Warman-Martensville RCMP detachment has seen an increase locally, with 182 reported frauds in the detachment area in 2024, up from the 148 they saw in 2023.
Some of the most prevalent scams targeting Canadians are often phone scams, where someone claims to be a representative from the Canada Revenue Agency, RCMP, or a bank threatening victims with arrests or legal action and pressuring them into paying fake debts, often via cryptocurrency, wire transfer or gift cards.
Other scams include romance scams (forming fake relationships online and requesting money), investment fraud (schemes promising unrealistic returns), phishing and spoofing (emails mimicking banks, government agencies or businesses), online marketplace scams, grandparent scams (targets seniors with scammers pretending to be a grandchild in trouble needing money quickly).
Sadly, these scams can affect anyone, with seniors and newcomers to Canada often particularly at risk due to unfamiliarity with technology, limited support networks, or language barriers and are often left with disappointing results, as it is difficult to recover the lost funds.
In order to better protect yourself, Warman RCMP Staff Sergeant Jason Teniuk offered some tips to help deal with suspicious individuals, such as resisting pressure to act quickly, always be skeptical, do your research, ask lots of questions, ask a friend, neighbor, or relative for advice before providing any information, do not give out personal information, verify before acting, do not be intimidated or afraid to be rude, and always remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it always is.
The local RCMP will be hosting public education sessions, with two already held in Asquith and Osler and two more planned for June 18th at the Brian King Centre in Warman at 7pm and at the North Ridge Community Centre in Martensville at 7pm.
“We are noticing a significant trend in the number of scams going on and as a result we have partnered with the local banks to provide these information sessions,” Teniuk said.
If you are unsure, or worried that you might be the target of a scam, contact the local RCMP before signing up for anything, or providing any funds or personal information.
