The number of reported scams and frauds occurring in Manitoba continues to rise, stealing tens of millions of dollars from the wallets and bank accounts of hundreds – if not thousands – of Manitobans each year.

 

With this week marking the start of Fraud Prevention Month, the Manitoba RCMP is reminding the public that fraudsters work in a myriad of ways to separate individuals from their money.

  

In its latest annual report, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre notes that Manitobans were defrauded out of approximately $31 million dollars in 2024 – and that’s just from the scams that were reported. The actual amount of money taken is believed to be exponentially higher than what’s reported, as only five to 10 per cent of victims actually come forward to law enforcement agencies.

 

Frauds can be relatively basic and straight forward, such as phishing texts asking for payment information to receive a package you never ordered. They can also be increasingly elaborate, including the use of artificial intelligence to create deep fakes that legitimize investment scams. The most prevalent frauds reported in Manitoba include identity theft, false and misleading service-related promotions and scams posing as investment opportunities.

 

Some things to keep in mind include: If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is , be wary of strangers contacting you to ask for money. Always protect your personal information and don’t share any personal details with strangers especially over the phone and online.

 

If you or someone you know has been defrauded, report it to your local RCMP detachment or police service. Your report can help identify links, catch criminals and prevent further frauds.