Canada-Revenue-Agency scam fools Coquitlam man, say RCMP
Coquitlam RCMP warn the public of popular phone scam
Coquitlam RCMP are warning about scammers claiming to be calling from a non-emergency police line to bilk people out of their money.
A man posing as an officer with the Canada Revenue Agency told a Coquitlam man that he owed the federal government money and would be arrested if he failed to pay up immediately.
The man handed over $8,000 because he felt threatened and was worried he would be arrested, said Const. Jamie Phillipson.
Police say no one who actually works for the Canada Revenue Agency or any law enforcement agency would demand money over the phone.
Popular scam
This CRA scam is one of the most popular ways people were financially ripped off in 2015, say police.
Authorities recommend people hang up immediately if they receive such a call and notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Police are trying to identity the caller.
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—@cqrcmp