The Saint John Police is reminding residents to stay vigilant when it comes to sharing personal or financial information, as fraudulent scams continue to negatively impact members of our community. Individuals affected by these types of crimes may suffer substantial financial losses and long-term emotional effects, including stress, shame, and loss of trust in others.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadians reported more than 112,000 instances of fraud in 2025 with total losses exceeding $704 million. “Perpetrators are using technology to develop and deliver fraudulent messages at scale, creating content that looks and sounds real using fake websites, deepfakes, and stolen identities. Cryptocurrencies and other real time payments make it increasingly difficult to stop a fraud in progress. Once money is sent, it is often moved quickly and is difficult to recover.” (Source: The rise of fraud)
The following are some reminders to help keep you protected:
- Be cautious of unexpected calls, texts, emails, or online messages, even when they appear to be professional or urgent.
- Be aware that fraudsters often impersonate trusted organizations, businesses, government agencies, or romantic partners.
- Never send money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or personal information to anyone you have not verified.
- Treat any request for secrecy or pressure to act quickly as a warning sign.
- If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
“While certain segments of our population are more vulnerable to fraud, no one is exempt from becoming a victim of these greedy, heartless criminal predators. Protect yourself, your family, and your hard-earned assets. Never be afraid to say I will have to look into this and follow-up with trusted family and friends, trusted institutions, or the police. If we do our diligence in recognizing and reporting fraud, together we can hold these criminal fraudsters accountable.” Chief R. M. Bruce
Anyone who has been a target of fraud should report it to the Saint John Police at 506-648-3333. A report should also be made to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling toll-free 1-888-495-8501 or online Report fraud and cybercrime, even if there was no financial loss.
Together a safe, secure, healthy community
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