North Battleford RCMP are warning the public about a telephone scam currently in operation in the area.
This scam usually involves a caller - usually younger-sounding - who identifies themselves as the daughter, son or grandchild of the person receiving the call. The caller will state they are in Ontario and have been involved in some type of serious event, such as a car accident or an arrest, for which they need their relative to immediately send money. Those falling victim to the scam subsequently learn their relatives did not make the call and are out several thousand dollars.
The money would be sent off by an untraceable money transaction such as Western Union. According to police, the persons making the calls are convincing and practiced and have been able to take large amounts of money from unsuspecting victims.
To date, the RCMP detachment in the Battlefords has received five complaints from people who have been contacted by these persons. None of the five sent money.
RCMP say it is known the persons responsible for the scam operate out of Montreal. However, they usually use a drop-off point of Toronto or another Ontario city. Police in these areas are aware of the scams but so far have been unable to make any arrests, as the operations tend to be fly-by-night with those involved packing up and moving frequently to avoid arrest.
