CEO scam

Posted:

EN

Investigators in the Financial Crime Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division are warning citizens about an old email scam that has reappeared to target organizations throughout the Halifax area.  

In the last year, police have received over 30 reports of a scam involving someone posing as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or manager of an organization. The scammer contacts the organization using a fake email address and directs staff to wire money to a bank account. Seven organizations have been defrauded of thousands of dollars so far this year and these cases are currently under investigation.   

Fraud can affect anyone. Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Never send money without confirming the identity of the recipient by voice or in-person.
  • If you receive an e-mail requesting money, contact the purported sender by phone or in-person to confirm the e-mail's legitimacy.

If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of this or any other scam, please report the matter to your local police agency. There is no need to call police to report that you’ve been contacted in relation to this scam if you’re not a victim.  You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or online at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincident-signalerincident/index-eng.htm 

GO# 2016-115691, 92829, 86905, 60815, 34062, 31979, 28427