Richmond RCMP warn Chinese community about scam

The Richmond RCMP is out with a warning on Monday morning.

Mounties say they’ve received five reports of fraud after people allegedly posed as employees from an Asian-based telecom service and targeted the Chinese community.

“These five incidents have resulted in losses of over $400,000,” Cpl. Adrianna O’Malley stated in a release.

“The first report was received December 24, 2024. In all cases, the victims receive a call from someone posing as a representative of a legitimate Asian telecom service that provides phone, VOIP and TV services,” the police explain.

During the course of the conversation, the unsuspecting victim is transferred to a “Chinese police officer,” the Richmond RCMP says, who then says that their phone has been used illegally and they must pay up to avoid arrest and deportation.

“This appears to be a new version of the foreign police scam. Fraudsters will make slight changes to their tactics or approach in an attempt to lure in new victims,” said Cpl. Denise Kam.

According to Mounties, last year in Richmond alone, residents lost over $38 million to fraud.