RCMP warn of new police impersonation scam

RCMP have warned residents in Edson, AB of a brand new rip-off the place a bunch of individuals have been  bodily impersonating cops. 

Most just lately, a sufferer obtained a cellphone name from a quantity that was displayed as RCMP. The felony on the opposite finish of the road posed as an officer and mentioned the sufferer was going to be arrested for a “cash laundering” scheme. 

Concurrently, two accomplices dressed as RCMP knocked on the sufferer’s door. 

They requested if the sufferer had obtained the aforementioned name and advised the particular person they’d “be arrested except they pay a charge,” based on a press launch from the RCMP. 

The sufferer then was coerced into emptying their checking account, buying reward playing cards and reporting to the particular person on the opposite finish of the cellphone. 

“The suspect on the cellphone mentioned that the cash can be given again if it was confirmed that they weren’t a part of an ongoing investigation,” the RCMP mentioned. 

The occasion occurred at about 10 a.m. November 3 close to Edison’s 4 Ave. between 63 St. and 56 St., on November 3, 2023. 

Police are asking anybody who “could have seen one thing or have entry to dashcam or surveillance footage, to please name the Edson RCMP detachment.”

Alberta RCMP warned the general public “to all the time pay attention to scammers” and suggested a number of steps to absorb the occasion of an identical crime. 

“At no time will an RCMP officer request a charge, reward playing cards or in any other case cash in change of forgoing an arrest,” the RCMP mentioned. “If an arrest warrant is issued, the warrant will likely be executed as specified on the warrant. If a warrant to go looking a house or seize an account is granted, the warrant will likely be executed as specified and you might be entitled to learn the warrant.”

“If ever you might be within the presence of somebody stating they’re a police officer and you’ve got doubts, you might be allowed to ask for identification. Moreover, it’s possible you’ll name 9-1-1 or your native detachment or dispatch quantity to verify that the officers earlier than you might be who they are saying they’re.”