Police north of Toronto issue warning about 'Chinese police extortion scam'
Members of York Region’s Chinese community are being targeted in an ongoing extortion scam, where fake Chinese law enforcement officials allegedly threaten their victims with arrest or deportation, police say.
York Regional Police (YRP) issued a public warning Monday following “multiple” reports of the scam. In three incidents, police said, victims were defrauded of more than $1 million combined.
The scammers use various tactics to get in touch with their victims, including phone calls and social media messages, and trick them into believing they are in legal trouble in China, police said.
“They often claim that the victims' personal information has been compromised or that they are involved in criminal activities such as money laundering or drug trafficking,” a news release read.
The suspects then make demands for money or personal information to resolve the fraudulent legal issues.
It’s unclear at this time how many victims have been impacted by the scam.
Police provided a number of tips to protect residents from falling victim to the extortion attempt, including:
- Verify the caller’s identity through documentation or by contacting the relevant law enforcement agency to independently confirm the caller’s legitimacy
- Be skeptical of threats. Official agencies do not typically threaten arrest or legal action over the phone without proper due process
- Do not share personal information over the phone or through email
- Discuss the phone call with friends or family before taking action
- Report the incident
“Always exercise caution and skepticism when dealing with unsolicited communication, especially those that involve legal matters and financial transactions,” police said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the scam to contact the York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6611.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.