The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says losses to the crime exceeded $700 million last year in Canada.
They also say the crime remains significantly underreported, estimating 5% to 10% of incidents reported.
March is Fraud Prevention Month.
Jeff Thomson, Acting Manager of the centre, says they rely on strong partnerships with police to fight fraud collectively.
That includes the North Bay Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and Anishinabek Police.
“Local reporting fuels national awareness. When individuals come forward, they help law enforcement identify trends, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent further victimization,” says Thomson. “Reporting fraud is one of the most powerful prevention tools we have.”
Officials say while fraud can begin with a single phone call, email or online message, they say investigations increasingly show that many frauds are part of larger, organized operations that rely on digital platforms, anonymity and speed to reach victims across jurisdictions.
