EDMONTON -- Edmontonians were scammed a collective $34.3 million in 2019.

Police are sharing statistics and preventative tips for the start of Fraud Prevention Month.

"This is that borderless that crime that often doesn't get spoken about. We need to address that," Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee said. 

"This does happen. But once it does happen, let's try to do everything within our power to stop it from happening again." 

TOP FIVE MOST COMMON SCAMS

 

# of occurrences with reported loss

Amount of loss ($)

Bank fraud

725

$9.7 million

Online – buy / sell

279

$723,500

Identity theft / fraud

160

$1 million

Employment scam

156

$525,600

Business fraud

141

$3.8 million

 

TOP FIVE MOST EXPENSIVE SCAMS

 

# of occurrences with reported loss

Amount of loss ($)

Bank fraud

725

$9.7 million

Relationship – family / friend  

20

$5.2 million

Business fraud

141

$3.8 million

Romance scam

62

$3.2 million

Contract / contractor fraud

17

$1.8 million

 

Edmontonians lost nearly five times the amount to online scams in 2019 as they did the year before:

 

Amount lost in online frauds

2019

$5.7 million

2018

1.2 million

 

Edmonton Police Service said it received reports of all kinds of frauds last year: from investment and immigration scams to fraudsters pretending to be government and law enforcement authorities.

Sixty-two Edmontonians lost $3.2 million in romance schemes in 2019. EPS said one victim lost $270,000.

"If you’re seeking companionship, whether it be platonic or romantic, understand the risks associated with ‘friending’ anyone online," police warned.

"Don’t be so willing to ‘buy’ love by sending money to someone who is not physically present in your life."

The force also noted merchandise and ticket scams bagged $723,500 last year in Edmonton. A pair of Oilers fans who listed a wanted ad on Kijiji say they heard back from a Ticketmaster broker, who said he would only accept the $600 payment via Bitcoin transfer. The scammer gained their trust by at one point even returning a transfer before tricking them. 

"I like to think I'm a smart guy who did his homework... just the web that they have going on was bigger than I thought," Keith Pulles explained. 

"He said, 'You'll never catch me. I'm too good at what I do.'" 

The Oilers Entertainment Group is partnering with EPS in 2020 as a frequent merchant for local tickets.

OEG spokesperson Tim Shipton reminded customers to only purchase event tickets through Ticketmaster platforms, like Fan-to-Fan resale and NHL Ticket Exchange. 

"These are the only 100 per cent verified tickets for acces to Rogers Place," Shipton said. 

"If a ticket price is unreal or unreasonably low, it probably is. Way below market value tickets should set off alarm bells, and don't let the excitement of getting a ticket to that even overlook obvious errors and irregularities." 

Customers should watch out for the signs of forgery, like low quality paper, smudged printing, discoloration, misspelling or uneven borders. 

HOW TO REPORT ONLINE SCAMS

Those who have sent money or shared financial information are recommended to:

  • Report it to the financial institution that was used in the transaction;
  • Contact local police with information about the situation, including the scammer's name, how you made contact, screenshots of the interaction, etc.;
  • File a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online;
  • Notify management of the website where you met the scammer, as fraudsters usually have more than one account, police said; and
  • Tell others of your experience to warn them.