(St. John’s, NL) February 7, 2025 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is investigating and warning of fraudulent activity following one person’s loss of over $15,000 in an online employment scam.

The RNC received a report from an individual who, after accepting an online job offer was asked to complete on-the-job training on WhatsApp, an online messaging service. Training included converting money from their personal account into cryptocurrency. While the money appeared to remain in the individual’s account, the transactions totaling $15,000, were lost.

It is becoming more and more common to receive phone calls, emails or text messages from fraudsters impersonating government officials, well-known companies and family members. These impersonators attempt to de-fraud people, especially seniors, by using scare tactics to manipulate the victim into sending money by taking advantage of a person’s good nature and desire to co-operate with agencies who they believe to be legitimate.

To help prevent falling victim to a scam remember:

• Never share personal information, including banking information and driver’s licence, via mail, phone call, email or text messages. If you receive any requests asking for such, immediately delete or discard.
• If you are suspicious, end the conversation and contact the source directly. If the caller asks you to stay on the line, it is likely a scam.
• Do not trust a number just because it is local or familiar. Fraudsters use technology to make it appear they are calling from a trusted number.
• Do not return a call to a number unknown to you just because it was on your caller ID.
• Never click on links received via text message or email. Always verify the URL and domain to make sure it is an official website.

Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to a scam is asked contact the RNC at 709-729-8000. You can also report suspected fraudulent activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or use their online reporting system.

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File # 2024-82703

Cst. James Cadigan, #775
Public Communications Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca