Burnaby Couple Loses $300,000 in Sophisticated Fraud Scheme
A senior couple in Burnaby, British Columbia, lost nearly $300,000 after falling victim to a complex fraud scheme involving individuals posing as RCMP officers, authorities have warned. The Burnaby RCMP received a report from the couple, both in their 80s, on January 28th of this year.
According to the RCMP, the fraudsters contacted the couple claiming their bank account had been compromised. They then advised the victims to transfer their money to a different account to protect it. Over several weeks, the couple made multiple deposits, transferring a substantial sum of money at the direction of the scammer.
The fraudsters specifically instructed the couple not to contact the police during the process and also directed them to purchase gift cards as a method of transferring funds. This tactic is commonly used by scammers to make tracking the money more difficult.
It was only when the seniors became suspicious that they contacted their bank, who immediately advised them to file a police report. The fraud is now under investigation by the Burnaby RCMP.
“It is really despicable when fraudsters use these manipulative tactics to prey upon people, particularly seniors,” said Media Relations Officer Cpl. Mike Kalanj and Laura Hirst, in a release. The RCMP is using this case to remind the public about the importance of vigilance against such scams.
Authorities emphasize that neither the police nor banks will ever contact individuals requesting them to transfer money. Anyone receiving such a request should immediately contact their bank directly and report the incident to their local police.
The Burnaby RCMP advises anyone who believes they may be targeted by a similar scam, where someone is claiming to be a police officer, to contact their local police station to verify the individual’s identity. RCMP officers carry official identification cards and badges.
Individuals can also report fraud and cybercrime online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca. This incident comes as police agencies across British Columbia have been issuing warnings about distraction thefts and extortion attempts, highlighting a growing trend of financial crimes targeting vulnerable populations.
This case echoes concerns raised by recent reports of individuals posing as nurses in seniors’ homes to commit fraud, as highlighted in a separate case reported in December 2025. While the details differ, both incidents underscore the need for increased awareness and protection for seniors against predatory criminal activity.
