Oliver has seen an increase in persons attending the RCMP Detachment to report they have received a phone call from either Immigration or Canada Revenue Agency demanding money. The caller will advise you to provide him with a cash amount or the RCMP will come and arrest you, or remove you from Canada. The phone number display may appear to come from the RCMP, Immigration or Canada Revenue Agency, these displays can be taken from the internet and used on any phone. Please do not respond to any request for cash, money sent electronically by computer or Money Transfer Services. Government Agencies in Canada will provide you with documentation before requesting payment. If you have any concerns about a call from Immigration or Canada Revenue Agency, hang up on the caller and find a different number than provided by the fraudulent caller, and confirm what you were being told.

Submitted by Sgt. Blaine GERVAIS
Area Commander
Oliver Detachment

Editorial comment:

Not a day goes by that the police (mainly RCMP) request assistance in getting this story out. With all the resources available to the RCMP and the government of Canada – can we collectively not solve this problem by insisting that telephones/telephone companies cannot be used for this purpose. If we can go to the moon or watch an alien nebula or find water on Pluto – surely we can catch a crook.