Fraud Alert – Phone Scam

File: 20191440566

Charlottetown Police Services wish to warn the public of a new phone scam that was reported over the weekend.

The victim received a phone call from number 1-888-502-9060 and a male identified himself as an Agent with the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency).  He told the victim that he was the primary suspect in a very major and serious criminal investigation and that the Charlottetown Police Services would be contacting him and advising that there is a warrant for his arrest. The agent further stated that the Charlottetown Police Service would go arrest him and place him in jail for 48 hours.

While on the phone with the “Agent”, the victim received a second call from 902-629-4054, the ‘Agent” told him to answer that call.  That caller identified himself as an Officer with the Charlottetown Police Services and advised him that there was an arrest warrant for him. The Officer instructed him to follow the instructions of the CBSA Agent.  The Agent then instructed the victim to proceed to Lawton’s and Shoppers Drug Mart where he purchased $500 worth of Google Play gift cards.  He then told him to scratch the back of the cards and email to him the gift card numbers.

With this scam, the phone numbers displayed where the actual phone numbers of the CBSA and CPS.

The public is being reminded to be vigilant and not to fall victim to these scams. Law enforcement agencies never ask for payments in this manner.

Hang up and report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.