Castlegar RCMP warn businesses about impersonation frauds

February 23, 2026 - Castlegar, British Columbia
From: Castlegar RCMP

Content

2026-02-15 at 15:19 hours PDT

File: 2026-409

The Castlegar RCMP is advising all local businesses of a recent increase in reports involving individuals impersonating service providers. 

Local Castlegar businesses have been targeted by fraudsters seeking to gain funds through the creation of a false sense of urgency. 

These incidents typically involve business operators receiving an unsolicited telephone call. The fraudsters speak with staff, claiming to need urgent funds to allow business operations. The fraudsters impersonate various service providers and inform business staff a delivery fee was immediately required. 

Fraudsters then directed the staff to close the business, remove cash from the register and deposit the funds into a Bitcoin ATM (Automatic Teller Machine). 

Police advise local businesses:

• Be cautious about unexpected calls, emails, or messages.
• Never send money or cryptocurrency to someone you don’t know.
• Be wary of urgent demands.
• Canadian government agencies or police do not demand payment through the exchange of cryptocurrency.
• If you are unsure if you are speaking with the government agency or bank, hang up and call the agency directly through their listed phone number.

For more tips, visit the BC RCMP: Bitcoin and gift card scams.

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