Judy Skene, an 86-year-old widow from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, lost $900,000 to a highly sophisticated cryptocurrency investment scam that utilized an AI-generated deepfake of Prime Minister Mark Carney. The ordeal began in the summer of 2025 when Skene came across a Facebook advertisement featuring a digital impersonation of Carney.
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) issued an urgent warning to investors regarding a surge in “ramp-and-dump” stock scams. Orchestrated through fraudulent investment groups on social media and encrypted private messaging apps like WhatsApp, Discord, and Telegram, these schemes actively target unsuspecting individuals. A modern variation of the classic “pump-and-dump,” a
Scammers are increasingly impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to steal money and personal information, but knowing their tactics is your best defense. One of the most prevalent new methods involves fraudulent text messages. These notifications falsely promise a tax refund and include a deceptive e-transfer link. The CRA wants
A sophisticated phone scam is leaving Rogers customers responsible for thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. Scammers pose as Rogers employees, calling victims with offers for discounted phone plans and a “free” iPad. The fraudsters then use the victim’s details to sign them up for a legitimate two-year iPad financing
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and their policing partners are warning the public to be vigilant against scams related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™. As Canada prepares to host matches, authorities warn that fraudsters are exploiting the high demand by selling counterfeit or
Toronto police are warning the public about a dramatic surge in AI-powered scams over the past six months. Detective David Coffey of the financial crimes unit reports that while the types of scams—such as romance or impersonation fraud—remain the same, artificial intelligence has made them far more convincing and targeted.
Investment fraud is a growing crisis in Canada, with victims losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Today’s scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods, utilizing artificial intelligence and fake online dashboards to create an illusion of legitimacy. Often, these schemes begin via a social media connection. To protect your savings, watch
An Etobicoke, Ontario woman, Colleen McMichael, lost nearly $50,000 in a door-to-door roofing scam. The ordeal began in late January when two men offered to clear ice and snow from her eavestroughs for $50. After briefly going onto her roof, they falsely claimed it was in a disastrous state, citing
CBC News reported the devastating impact of a digital banking scam on a Manitoba couple, Linda and Rudy Klassen. In mid-2024, their compromised home computer allowed fraudsters to deposit bogus cheques and illegally transfer funds. While Access Credit Union forgave an initial $100,000 loss, a subsequent breach at Steinbach Credit
A British Columbia man unknowingly became an illegal “money mule” after accepting an unsolicited courier job that required picking up cash from residents’ homes. In reality, he was collecting money for a fraudster operating a “grandparent scam.” This scam tricks vulnerable seniors into handing over cash by falsely claiming a
Utility companies are warning Canadians about a surge in “utility imposter” scams, where fraudsters pose as service providers to steal money and personal information. According to the article, reports of such fraud increased by 50% for Toronto Hydro in 2024. Scammers typically use high-pressure tactics, such as threatening immediate service
Fraudsters are targeting Apple users with a carefully constructed campaign. A sophisticated phishing scam is targeting Apple Pay users, leveraging fake “blocked transaction” emails to steal personal data. The article, originally from Macworld, details how fraudsters send official-looking emails claiming a high-value purchase was blocked due to suspicious activity. These
A Richmond Hill man, lost $260,000 in a sophisticated “pump-and-dump” scam shortly after moving his investments to a website falsely claiming to be Wealthsimple. Targeted by Instagram ads mimicking Wealthsimple’s branding, Klait joined an online trading forum that initially helped him profit $14,000. Trusting the group, he invested a larger
A new report from the Angus Reid Institute reveals that over 80% of Canadians have been targeted by digital or phone scams since 2024. While many ignore these attempts, roughly 30% of those targeted fell victim, resulting in the theft of funds or personal data. By September 2025, reported losses
The “Canada Pension Network Hub” is the name used in SCAM videos and webpages circulating online that promote false information about Canadian retirement benefits. The actual Government of Canada has issued multiple warnings about these fraudulent attempts to steal personal and financial information. Key Information on the Scam Reporting Scams If you
A woman from Markham, Ontario, lost her life savings of $1.7 million to a cryptocurrency scam involving a deepfake video of Elon Musk. Using the pseudonym Denise, the victim told CTV News she was lured by a Facebook video where an AI-generated Musk promoted a high-return investment platform. After an
Two Canadians lost a combined $2.3 million to sophisticated cryptocurrency scams driven by AI-generated content. Denise, a 51-year-old from Markham, Ontario, lost her life savings of $1.7 million after viewing a deepfake video of Elon Musk on Facebook promising high returns. She even took out a second mortgage to invest.
The CTV News segment, “Consumer Alert,” warns viewers about advance fee loan scams. Reporter Pat Foran highlights the story of Linda Bailey, a woman struggling financially who sought a $20,000 loan online. She contacted a company called Dynamic Resource Solutions, which appeared legitimate with positive reviews. However, the company required
Police are warning holiday shoppers about ongoing scams where gift card barcodes are tampered with so that scammers keep the cash value of the card. Watch video below to learn about what to watch for while shopping.
Ray Anholt of Victoria recently marked his 90th birthday, but says there was little to celebrate — being the victim of one of the largest-ever bank investigator scams reported in Canada, he was left virtually penniless. Over six months last year, Anholt lost his life savings — almost $1.7 million.
Seniors are getting taken advantage of by people pretending to be their friends A retired Richmond man in his 80s lost his entire life savings, totaling over $40,000, to scammers posing as supportive online friends. His son is now speaking out to warn other families, highlighting how sophisticated fraudsters exploit
This CTV News report details how AI-generated deepfakes are being used to defraud Canadians of their life savings. The video highlights victims like the Perkins family, who lost over $42,000, and Brenda Dion, who lost $16,000, after trusting realistic deepfake videos of political figures—including Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney—endorsing fake
The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers about a new scam called “ghost tapping” this holiday season. This occurs when thieves intercept the Near Field Communication (NFC) signals used in contactless payments to make unauthorized charges or charge a card multiple times. Because the scammers need to be physically close
The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is urging all Manitoba investors to be extra cautious after a local senior lost their $2 million dollar life savings in a crypto scam with “Fargo Investor” – an unregistered, fraudulent business. MSC investigators believe others may have invested with or been approached by the
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is warning investors about Tradock LTD, a fraudulent trading platform operating through the website [https://tradock[.]io] that has been falsely claiming registration with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), CIRO’s predecessor, in communications with investors. Investors should be aware that Tradock LTD is
Residents in Muskoka are being warned about a trending cyber fraud targeting the area that police say has cost victims thousands of dollars. Provincial police say the scam involves pop-ups that appear to come from either Microsoft or UltraViewer about a computer hack or virus and directs the person to
In this CTV News report, Pat Foran highlights a rising “bank investigator scam” plaguing residents in Durham and Halton, with over 90 victims reported recently. Criminals impersonate bank employees, using personal details like names, addresses, and recent transaction history to appear legitimate. Victims are told their accounts are compromised and
Exposing fraudsters stealing people’s life savings This CBC Marketplace investigation reveals a massive investment fraud operation run from a call center in Tbilisi, Georgia. Journalists utilized leaked internal recordings to identify scammers posing as financial advisors, tricking victims into investing in fake platforms. The report profiles Canadian victims like Marcel
Judy Skene, an 86-year-old widow from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, lost $900,000 to a highly sophisticated cryptocurrency investment scam that utilized an AI-generated deepfake of Prime Minister Mark Carney. The ordeal began in the summer of 2025 when Skene came across a Facebook advertisement featuring a digital impersonation of Carney.
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) issued an urgent warning to investors regarding a surge in “ramp-and-dump” stock scams. Orchestrated through fraudulent investment groups on social media and encrypted private messaging apps like WhatsApp, Discord, and Telegram, these schemes actively target unsuspecting individuals. A modern variation of the classic “pump-and-dump,” a
Scammers are increasingly impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to steal money and personal information, but knowing their tactics is your best defense. One of the most prevalent new methods involves fraudulent text messages. These notifications falsely promise a tax refund and include a deceptive e-transfer link. The CRA wants
A sophisticated phone scam is leaving Rogers customers responsible for thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. Scammers pose as Rogers employees, calling victims with offers for discounted phone plans and a “free” iPad. The fraudsters then use the victim’s details to sign them up for a legitimate two-year iPad financing
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and their policing partners are warning the public to be vigilant against scams related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™. As Canada prepares to host matches, authorities warn that fraudsters are exploiting the high demand by selling counterfeit or
Toronto police are warning the public about a dramatic surge in AI-powered scams over the past six months. Detective David Coffey of the financial crimes unit reports that while the types of scams—such as romance or impersonation fraud—remain the same, artificial intelligence has made them far more convincing and targeted.
Investment fraud is a growing crisis in Canada, with victims losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Today’s scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods, utilizing artificial intelligence and fake online dashboards to create an illusion of legitimacy. Often, these schemes begin via a social media connection. To protect your savings, watch
An Etobicoke, Ontario woman, Colleen McMichael, lost nearly $50,000 in a door-to-door roofing scam. The ordeal began in late January when two men offered to clear ice and snow from her eavestroughs for $50. After briefly going onto her roof, they falsely claimed it was in a disastrous state, citing
CBC News reported the devastating impact of a digital banking scam on a Manitoba couple, Linda and Rudy Klassen. In mid-2024, their compromised home computer allowed fraudsters to deposit bogus cheques and illegally transfer funds. While Access Credit Union forgave an initial $100,000 loss, a subsequent breach at Steinbach Credit
A British Columbia man unknowingly became an illegal “money mule” after accepting an unsolicited courier job that required picking up cash from residents’ homes. In reality, he was collecting money for a fraudster operating a “grandparent scam.” This scam tricks vulnerable seniors into handing over cash by falsely claiming a
Utility companies are warning Canadians about a surge in “utility imposter” scams, where fraudsters pose as service providers to steal money and personal information. According to the article, reports of such fraud increased by 50% for Toronto Hydro in 2024. Scammers typically use high-pressure tactics, such as threatening immediate service
Fraudsters are targeting Apple users with a carefully constructed campaign. A sophisticated phishing scam is targeting Apple Pay users, leveraging fake “blocked transaction” emails to steal personal data. The article, originally from Macworld, details how fraudsters send official-looking emails claiming a high-value purchase was blocked due to suspicious activity. These
A Richmond Hill man, lost $260,000 in a sophisticated “pump-and-dump” scam shortly after moving his investments to a website falsely claiming to be Wealthsimple. Targeted by Instagram ads mimicking Wealthsimple’s branding, Klait joined an online trading forum that initially helped him profit $14,000. Trusting the group, he invested a larger
A new report from the Angus Reid Institute reveals that over 80% of Canadians have been targeted by digital or phone scams since 2024. While many ignore these attempts, roughly 30% of those targeted fell victim, resulting in the theft of funds or personal data. By September 2025, reported losses
The “Canada Pension Network Hub” is the name used in SCAM videos and webpages circulating online that promote false information about Canadian retirement benefits. The actual Government of Canada has issued multiple warnings about these fraudulent attempts to steal personal and financial information. Key Information on the Scam Reporting Scams If you
A woman from Markham, Ontario, lost her life savings of $1.7 million to a cryptocurrency scam involving a deepfake video of Elon Musk. Using the pseudonym Denise, the victim told CTV News she was lured by a Facebook video where an AI-generated Musk promoted a high-return investment platform. After an
Two Canadians lost a combined $2.3 million to sophisticated cryptocurrency scams driven by AI-generated content. Denise, a 51-year-old from Markham, Ontario, lost her life savings of $1.7 million after viewing a deepfake video of Elon Musk on Facebook promising high returns. She even took out a second mortgage to invest.
The CTV News segment, “Consumer Alert,” warns viewers about advance fee loan scams. Reporter Pat Foran highlights the story of Linda Bailey, a woman struggling financially who sought a $20,000 loan online. She contacted a company called Dynamic Resource Solutions, which appeared legitimate with positive reviews. However, the company required
Police are warning holiday shoppers about ongoing scams where gift card barcodes are tampered with so that scammers keep the cash value of the card. Watch video below to learn about what to watch for while shopping.
Ray Anholt of Victoria recently marked his 90th birthday, but says there was little to celebrate — being the victim of one of the largest-ever bank investigator scams reported in Canada, he was left virtually penniless. Over six months last year, Anholt lost his life savings — almost $1.7 million.
Seniors are getting taken advantage of by people pretending to be their friends A retired Richmond man in his 80s lost his entire life savings, totaling over $40,000, to scammers posing as supportive online friends. His son is now speaking out to warn other families, highlighting how sophisticated fraudsters exploit
This CTV News report details how AI-generated deepfakes are being used to defraud Canadians of their life savings. The video highlights victims like the Perkins family, who lost over $42,000, and Brenda Dion, who lost $16,000, after trusting realistic deepfake videos of political figures—including Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney—endorsing fake
The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers about a new scam called “ghost tapping” this holiday season. This occurs when thieves intercept the Near Field Communication (NFC) signals used in contactless payments to make unauthorized charges or charge a card multiple times. Because the scammers need to be physically close
The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is urging all Manitoba investors to be extra cautious after a local senior lost their $2 million dollar life savings in a crypto scam with “Fargo Investor” – an unregistered, fraudulent business. MSC investigators believe others may have invested with or been approached by the
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is warning investors about Tradock LTD, a fraudulent trading platform operating through the website [https://tradock[.]io] that has been falsely claiming registration with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), CIRO’s predecessor, in communications with investors. Investors should be aware that Tradock LTD is
Residents in Muskoka are being warned about a trending cyber fraud targeting the area that police say has cost victims thousands of dollars. Provincial police say the scam involves pop-ups that appear to come from either Microsoft or UltraViewer about a computer hack or virus and directs the person to
In this CTV News report, Pat Foran highlights a rising “bank investigator scam” plaguing residents in Durham and Halton, with over 90 victims reported recently. Criminals impersonate bank employees, using personal details like names, addresses, and recent transaction history to appear legitimate. Victims are told their accounts are compromised and
Exposing fraudsters stealing people’s life savings This CBC Marketplace investigation reveals a massive investment fraud operation run from a call center in Tbilisi, Georgia. Journalists utilized leaked internal recordings to identify scammers posing as financial advisors, tricking victims into investing in fake platforms. The report profiles Canadian victims like Marcel