Cryptocurrency Scams in Canada Jump 400%

Wednesday, 24/03/2021 | 07:08 GMT by Arnab Shome
  • The police department advised people not to share personal information and do proper due diligence.
Cryptocurrency Scams in Canada Jump 400%
Finance Magnates

Frauds using Cryptocurrencies are going rampant in Canada as the number of victims in the country went up by 400 percent between 2017 and 2020.

“Cryptocurrency fraud is increasing dramatically in Canada, with a difference of more than 400 percent between 2017 and 2020,” said Sgt. Kris Clark, a federal officer at the serious and organized crime department, RCMP.

Additionally, he revealed that Canadians lost CAD 11 million (around $8.73 million) to various cryptocurrency scams in the first eight months of last year.

The prices of cryptocurrencies skyrocketed in recent years, and so is the demand for them among retail investors. Scammers around the world are using various tactics to siphon money from vulnerable groups.

Finance Magnates recently reported that residents in the Canadian city of Vancouver lost nearly $2 million in crypto-related scams in a week.

“They will often pressure the target, or threaten with extortion or violence, in order to get them to pay quickly,” said Sgt. Clark. “They will often identify themselves as a government official or police officer to increase the level of jeopardy if immediate action is not taken by the target to pay.”

People Must Be Aware

Moreover, he advised people not to provide personal information under any circumstances and to verify the legitimacy of organizations before dealing with them.

“It is important to understand that Canadian government agencies or police do not demand payment through the Exchange of cryptocurrency,” Sgt. Raju Mitra, a BC RCMP federal policing prevention and engagement officer, added. “Also, even urgent demands by legitimate agencies will provide convenient, secure options and reasonable time to pay.”

While scammers are going rampant, law enforcement is also performing strongly against them. The neighboring US has indicted several criminals who dupped victims out of tens of millions of dollars in various crypto scams.

Frauds using Cryptocurrencies are going rampant in Canada as the number of victims in the country went up by 400 percent between 2017 and 2020.

“Cryptocurrency fraud is increasing dramatically in Canada, with a difference of more than 400 percent between 2017 and 2020,” said Sgt. Kris Clark, a federal officer at the serious and organized crime department, RCMP.

Additionally, he revealed that Canadians lost CAD 11 million (around $8.73 million) to various cryptocurrency scams in the first eight months of last year.

The prices of cryptocurrencies skyrocketed in recent years, and so is the demand for them among retail investors. Scammers around the world are using various tactics to siphon money from vulnerable groups.

Finance Magnates recently reported that residents in the Canadian city of Vancouver lost nearly $2 million in crypto-related scams in a week.

“They will often pressure the target, or threaten with extortion or violence, in order to get them to pay quickly,” said Sgt. Clark. “They will often identify themselves as a government official or police officer to increase the level of jeopardy if immediate action is not taken by the target to pay.”

People Must Be Aware

Moreover, he advised people not to provide personal information under any circumstances and to verify the legitimacy of organizations before dealing with them.

“It is important to understand that Canadian government agencies or police do not demand payment through the Exchange of cryptocurrency,” Sgt. Raju Mitra, a BC RCMP federal policing prevention and engagement officer, added. “Also, even urgent demands by legitimate agencies will provide convenient, secure options and reasonable time to pay.”

While scammers are going rampant, law enforcement is also performing strongly against them. The neighboring US has indicted several criminals who dupped victims out of tens of millions of dollars in various crypto scams.

About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome
  • 7315 Articles
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About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well. His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report. Area of coverage: 1. CFD broker-related news 2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments 3. New retail trading trends 4. Prop trading industry updates 5. Executive interviews Education: Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
  • 7315 Articles
  • 133 Followers

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