TechFlow News, March 5: According to a Decrypt report, a resident of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, became the victim of two separate cryptocurrency scams. Last December, the individual deposited approximately CAD 5,000 (about USD 3,600) in cryptocurrency via an ATM, after which scammers defrauded them under the pretense of a remote stock trading job. Earlier this year, the same victim fell prey to a “recovery service” scam featuring counterfeit Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) branding; the fraudsters claimed they could recover roughly CAD 60,000 in “investment returns.”
Authorities warn the public that the RCMP never contacts individuals to notify them of discovered cryptocurrency accounts, nor does it collaborate with private companies to recover funds or request payment for investigative fees. Cybersecurity experts note that scammers frequently re-target victims who have already demonstrated vulnerability, exploiting authority bias—a psychological mechanism—to perpetrate fraud. Law enforcement advises the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited job offers or online communications involving cryptocurrency.
