Don’t get ripped off again by the same Crypto scam artists claiming to help you recover your lost money, police warn. The Nanaimo RCMP this week warned the public about a recent cryptocurrency‑related fraud that began with an online employment offer and later escalated into a secondary “recovery” attempt involving the misuse of the RCMP logo. The incident was reported to the police in mid- February 2026. In late 2025, a local resident received an unsolicited text message advertising an at‑home job opportunity involving buying and selling stock using cryptocurrency. The individual was persuaded to deposit $5,000 through a cryptocurrency ATM to take advantage of the opportunity. After the payment was made, communication with the so‑called employer abruptly ended and the funds were lost.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

NANAIMO – Don’t get ripped off again by the same Crypto scam artists claiming to help you recover your lost money, police warn.

The Nanaimo RCMP this week warned the public about a recent cryptocurrency‑related fraud that began with an online employment offer and later escalated into a secondary “recovery” attempt involving the misuse of the RCMP logo. The incident was reported to the police in mid- February 2026. 

In late 2025, a local resident received an unsolicited text message advertising an at‑home job opportunity involving buying and selling stock using cryptocurrency. The individual was persuaded to deposit $5,000 through a cryptocurrency ATM to take advantage of the opportunity. After the payment was made, communication with the so‑called employer abruptly ended and the funds were lost.

Earlier this year, the same individual encountered what appeared to be an RCMP‑branded Public Service Announcement online encouraging victims to report similar frauds. After clicking on the link and completing a form, the victim received a call from a male who identified himself as “Sam Peterson,” a lawyer with a firm called Helprpc based in Toronto. The caller claimed he had located two cryptocurrency wallets in the victim’s name containing approximately $60,000 in supposed “profits,” and offered to assist in recovering the funds.

The victim became suspicious and confirmed that the caller was not registered with the Law Society of British Columbia or Ontario. The website provided by the caller was also found to be non‑functional when checked by police. The victim was advised to report the incident to the Canadian Anti‑Fraud Centre, notify their bank, and obtain a credit report through Equifax or TransUnion to check for unauthorized accounts.

“The RCMP does not contact individuals about discovered cryptocurrency accounts, partner with private firms to recover lost funds, or request any form of payment to investigate fraud. Any communication suggesting otherwise is fraudulent,” said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of then Nanaimo RCMP.

Tips to avoid cryptocurrency & online employment frauds

*Be cautious of unsolicited job offers, especially those received through text messages, social media, or online ads.

*Never send cryptocurrency or make deposits through crypto ATMs as part of a job offer or investment opportunity.

*Treat online forms and websites with skepticism, even if they appear to use RCMP or government logos—verify websites independently.

*Law enforcement and government agencies do not charge fees or contact individuals about found cryptocurrency accounts.

*Verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a lawyer, investigator, or financial professional through official regulatory bodies.

*Protect your personal and banking information—monitor accounts and notify your bank of any suspicious activity.

*Obtain a credit report from Equifax or TransUnion to check for unauthorized accounts.Report all fraud attempts to the Canadian Anti‑Fraud Centre at 1‑888‑495‑8501 or online at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca