Fraud affects everyone regardless of age or ethnicity. Fraudsters develop elaborate stories and scenarios in an effort to make you believe they are legitimate.
In 2019, there were 6492 frauds reported to the Edmonton Police Service. Over $32 million was lost by victims in Edmonton alone.
One key way to avoid being scammed is simply taking a moment to truly consider and research what is being offered/threatened, etc. “We have become so isolated in the online world that we don’t want to
pick up the phone to have that legitimate conversation, which could ultimately
save you money, personal information, and more,” Detective Linda Herczeg
stated. “We want citizens and businesses to take that extra time to research
and verify the companies that are contacting you when something, even the small
details, seem off.”
Overall 2019 Fraud Stats
|
Fraud / Scam Type
|
Occurrences w/ Reported Loss
|
Amount Lost
|
|
Bank Fraud
|
725
|
$ 9,687,668.15
|
|
Relationship - Family / Friend
|
20
|
$ 5,242,398.71
|
|
Business Fraud
|
141
|
$ 3,827,595.71
|
|
Romance Scam
|
62
|
$ 3,201,380.21
|
|
Contract/Contractor Fraud
|
17
|
$ 1,771,131.49
|
|
Account Fraud/Takeover Scam
|
70
|
$ 1,331,141.63
|
|
Vehicle Fraud
|
17
|
$ 1,210,429.19
|
|
Identity Theft/Fraud
|
160
|
$ 1,032,839.25
|
|
Investment Scam
|
17
|
$ 1,017,838.79
|
|
Immigration Scam
|
16
|
$ 730,250.31
|
|
Online - Buy / Sell Scam
|
279
|
$ 723,500.69
|
|
Email Compromise Scam
|
30
|
$ 718,361.08
|
|
Lottery Scam
|
34
|
$ 661,631.88
|
|
Employment Scam
|
156
|
$ 525,595.14
|
|
Inheritance Scam
|
3
|
$ 447,344.73
|
|
Service Canada/SIN Card Scam
|
72
|
$ 443,791.00
|
|
Canada Revenue Agency Scam
|
51
|
$ 286,150.04
|
|
Computer Scams
|
51
|
$ 278,320.58
|
|
Police Officer Impersonation Scam
|
21
|
$ 251,550.00
|
|
Loan - Scam
|
32
|
$ 136,825.14
|
|
Grandparent/Nephew Scam
|
15
|
$ 134,856.00
|
|
Rental Property Scam
|
33
|
$ 108,182.43
|
|
Cloned/Fraudulent Websites
|
25
|
$ 95,823.43
|
|
Phone Number Ported/SIM Card Scam
|
19
|
$ 85,058.94
|
|
Prize Scam
|
9
|
$ 74,060.00
|
|
Chinese Embassy/Consulate Scam
|
3
|
$ 58,220.00
|
|
Social Media Scams
|
13
|
$ 52,921.41
|
|
Psychic Scam
|
9
|
$ 38,115.00
|
|
Relationship - Sugar Daddy
|
10
|
$ 33,980.00
|
|
Charity/Fundraising/Grant Scams
|
10
|
$ 22,709.20
|
|
Prize Scam
|
2
|
$ 20,242.89
|
|
Relationship - Romance Scam - Sextortion
|
6
|
$ 18,450.00
|
|
Gift Card / Loyalty Card Fraud/Scams
|
11
|
$ 14,777.50
|
|
Insurance Fraud
|
1
|
$ 10,580.00
|
|
Services Scam
|
6
|
$ 5,030.00
|
|
ETS Ticket Fraud
|
8
|
$ 1,183.60
|
|
Canada Post Fraud - Forward mail
|
1
|
$ 806.52
|
|
Totals
|
2155
|
$ 34,300,740.64
|
Investigating Frauds
Edmonton Police Service - Economic Crimes
The Economic Crimes Section reviews and evaluates all complaints of fraud, false pretences, credit card offences, counterfeiting crimes, identity theft and perjury, and assigns them for further investigation as required.
Victims of Fraud
If you’ve been a victim of fraud, call the Edmonton Police Service immediately at 780-423-4567 or #377 from your mobile phone. If you’re a victim of fraud, do not be afraid to come forward. You are not alone. We are here to help you.
Report a Fraud
To report a fraud that you have not fallen victim to, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501.
We would like to thank the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for their wealth of knowledge that we have been able to use on our website to provide expert advice to our citizens.