Fraud in progress right now?Call your bank's fraud line first, then the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501.First 72 hours →
AfterFraud.ca
Report itGetting money backCanadian lawScam typesAfter the fraudWhat it costsDirectoryContact us
Typology

Scam types and the offences they engage

Describing the scheme accurately changes which body has jurisdiction and what evidence matters. Find the pattern closest to yours — the legal hook is noted for each.

You may match more than one

Sophisticated operations chain patterns together: a romance approach becomes an investment scheme, which becomes a recovery-room approach months later from the same data. Matching several entries here is normal and worth telling police.

01

Investment & crypto fraud

Often called "pig butchering": a long grooming period on a dating app, WhatsApp or Telegram, followed by a fake trading platform that shows fabricated gains. Withdrawals fail, and you are told to pay "taxes" or "unlock fees" to release funds.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380 of the Criminal Code, plus provincial securities-act offences for trading or advising without registration and for distributing securities without a prospectus.

Warning markers

  • A dashboard shows profits, but every withdrawal attempt triggers a new fee
  • The platform is not in FINTRAC's MSB registry and the adviser is not on the CSA registration check
  • Pressure to move off the original app to an "account manager" on WhatsApp
  • Guaranteed or unusually consistent returns
02

Romance fraud

A relationship built over weeks or months, always with a reason not to meet in person, ending in escalating requests for money — medical emergencies, customs fees, travel costs, or an investment "opportunity" they want to share with you.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380. If you forwarded funds for someone else, s. 462.31 (laundering proceeds of crime) may be raised — get legal advice immediately rather than staying silent.

Warning markers

  • Refuses live video, or the video is brief and low quality
  • Declares strong feelings unusually quickly
  • Every crisis needs money urgently and privately
  • Asks you to receive and forward funds — this can make you an unwitting money mule
03

Government & CRA impersonation

Callers or texts claiming to be the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, the RCMP or a border agency, threatening arrest, deportation or SIN suspension unless you pay at once.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380, personation of a peace officer under s. 130, and extortion under s. 346 where threats are used to obtain payment.

Warning markers

  • Demands payment by e-transfer, crypto, or gift cards
  • Threatens immediate arrest or deportation
  • Claims your SIN has been "suspended" — the CRA never does this
  • Spoofed caller ID showing a real government number
04

Bank investigator & "safe account" scams

Someone claiming to be your bank's fraud team says your account is compromised and asks you to move money to a "safe account", share a one-time passcode, or install remote-access software so they can "help".

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380 and unauthorized computer use under s. 342.1. Bank liability turns on the Financial Consumer Protection Framework and your account agreement — escalate to OBSI if denied.

Warning markers

  • Asks you to read out a one-time passcode or 2FA code
  • Asks you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer or similar
  • Tells you to keep the transfer secret from branch staff
  • Instructs you to lie about the purpose of a wire
05

Tech support fraud

A pop-up or cold call warns that your computer is infected. The "technician" takes remote control, shows you fake evidence, then bills you — or opens your banking and moves money directly.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380, unauthorized use of a computer under s. 342.1, and mischief in relation to computer data under s. 430(1.1).

Warning markers

  • Unsolicited contact about a problem you never reported
  • Remote-access software requested early in the call
  • Refund "overpayment" stories that ask you to send money back
06

Grandparent & emergency scams

A caller poses as a grandchild or a lawyer, describing an arrest or accident, demanding immediate bail money and secrecy. Increasingly uses AI voice cloning taken from social media.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380. Where the victim is a senior, s. 380.1 lists the impact on the victim and the offender's position of trust as aggravating factors at sentencing.

Warning markers

  • "Don't tell mom and dad" — secrecy is the core mechanic
  • A courier is sent to your home to collect cash
  • Voice sounds right but the story blocks verification
07

Job & task scams

A remote "job" that involves rating products, boosting listings or processing payments. Small early payouts build trust before you are asked to deposit your own funds to unlock commissions.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380. Task scams frequently convert victims into money mules, creating exposure under s. 462.31 — document everything and seek counsel.

Warning markers

  • You must deposit your own money to keep earning
  • Recruitment by unsolicited WhatsApp or Telegram message
  • Duties involve receiving and forwarding money or goods
08

Real estate, title & rental fraud

Title fraud transfers or mortgages a property using stolen identity. Rental fraud collects deposits for listings the "landlord" does not control. Closing-day wire redirection diverts down payments.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380 and forgery under s. 366. Title insurance and the provincial land titles assurance fund may both be avenues — raise it with a real estate lawyer quickly.

Warning markers

  • Wire instructions changed by email close to closing
  • Landlord will not show the unit in person and wants an e-transfer deposit
  • Unexpected mail about a mortgage or refinance you never sought
09

Business email compromise

An attacker gets into a mailbox, watches invoice traffic, then sends updated banking details from a lookalike or the genuine account. Payments land in a mule account and are moved within hours.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380 and unauthorized computer use under s. 342.1. Speed matters more here than anywhere else — recall requests within hours can still work.

Warning markers

  • Banking details change by email only, never confirmed by phone
  • Urgency framed around a supplier deadline or an executive request
  • Reply-to address differs subtly from the display name
10

Recovery-room fraud (re-victimisation)

The second wave. People who already lost money are targeted by "asset recovery specialists", fake law firms, or people posing as regulators who promise to get funds back for an up-front fee.

Legal hook

Fraud under s. 380 again, and often s. 403 identity fraud where they impersonate real firms. No Canadian regulator or police service ever charges a fee to return your money.

Warning markers

  • Contacted you first, unsolicited, about a loss you never told them about
  • Any up-front fee, retainer, "bond", or crypto payment to start
  • Claims a guaranteed recovery, or says they have already located your funds
  • Impersonates the CAFC, a police service, or a securities commission
Verify before you act

Three checks that catch most investment fraud

Each takes under a minute and is free. Together they filter out the large majority of schemes targeting Canadians.

01

Check registration

Use the Canadian Securities Administrators' national registration search to confirm the person or firm is registered to advise or trade in your province. Unregistered is disqualifying.

CSA →
02

Check the FINTRAC registry

Any crypto platform serving Canadians must be registered as a money services business. If it is not in the registry, it is operating outside the Canadian regime.

FINTRAC MSB registry →
03

Check the disciplined lists

Provincial commissions and CIRO publish investor alerts, cease-trade orders and disciplined-person lists. A name appearing there ends the conversation.

CIRO →