The Sunshine Coast RCMP is sharing a video created by the Richmond detachment to help the public recognize the warning signs of a scam.
Something else Coasters might recognize when they watch the video is the constable who stars in the video, who worked on the Sunshine Coast before moving to Richmond.
The video, which is entertaining and uses humour in some cases to get its points across, is part of a new fraud-awareness campaign developed to educate the public about investment scams, a growing threat that costing residents millions of dollars annually.
The short video aims to educates the public on how scammers operate and provides practical tips on how recognize their tactics to avoid falling victim, and pulls from real examples on how to spot red flags.
The video lists three common investment scam tactics, including a claim you’ll make big money with little or no risk, a claim they have hot tips or insider information, and some examples of the high-pressure tactics designed to force you to make a quick decision.
These scams are calculated and often operate across international borders, says Cpl. Michael Ber, Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit. He says, scammers present themselves as legitimate by using convincing personas and applying pressure tactics to compel victims to act quickly. While funds lost to scammers in this way can be difficult to recover, there are instances when it is possible. Police urge victims to always report scams immediately.
Recent fraud trends
Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) has noted a troubling rise in fraud schemes both online and offline. Credit card theft remains prevalent, which is often linked to thefts from vehicles or mailboxes. Since April 2025, the ECU has been investigating eight new reports in a series of in-person credit card scams involving suspects posing as bank employees who attend the victim’s residence to pick up a card they claim is compromised. (See previous news release dated January 22, 2025).
Protecting yourself against fraud
Learning how to recognize common scam tactics is the easiest way to prevent becoming a victim. The public is encouraged to have regular discussions about fraud trends with their loved ones, and to share the investment scam video with friends and family.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have regular discussions with children about how to identify scams on electronic devices.
If you have been a victim of a scam or fraud, contact your local police as soon as possible. If you have received a suspicious text, email or phone call but have not provided any personal information or lost any money, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca to file a report.
For a full list of common scams and how to report them, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
