In what Whistler police are calling a "CRA scam with a twist," a caller who reportedly posed as a tax agent demanding payment later called back posing as an RCMP officer, according to a release.
At about 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, the Whistler RCMP received a report from an individual who said they had been contacted by someone claiming to be a CRA agent who had a warrant for their arrest. The person was told they would need to send Bitcoin in order for the warrant to be dropped. After recognizing the scam, the person told the caller they planned to report the incident to police.
"The caller suddenly hung up the phone, and a few minutes later, a second call was received, this time with a call display of 'Whistler RCMP,'" police said. "When the person answered that call, the caller identified himself as an 'officer' and again advised of the warrant and requirement to provide Bitcoin."
The resident hung up once more and contacted police.
"The Whistler RCMP are happy that this person did the right thing. No money was exchanged and valuable personal information was not disclosed," police said. "The RCMP will never demand anyone pay Bitcoin to remove a warrant."
Police advise the public to contact authorities if they ever doubt the veracity of a call or feel as if they are being scammed.
