West Shore RCMP warns public about fraudulent letter impersonating police

July 15, 2026 - West Shore, British Columbia
From: West Shore RCMP

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The West Shore RCMP is warning the public about a fraudulent letter currently circulating that falsely claims to be from the RCMP and attempts to intimidate recipients into paying a fine to avoid criminal charges.

The letter falsely claims to be issued by the RCMP’s the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3), and other organizations. It accuses recipients of serious criminal offences involving child sexual exploitation and threatens that failure to respond within 24-hours or pay the fine will result in criminal prosecution and the public release of their identity.

This letter is not a legitimate RCMP document.

The letter uses fear and intimidation to pressure recipients into acting quickly. It contains several indicators of fraud, including false allegations of criminal activity, threats of public exposure, deadlines for response, and references to legal processes that are inconsistent with how Canadian law enforcement conduct criminal investigations.

“The fraudsters behind these letters are relying on fear and urgency to manipulate victims into complying with their demands,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, Media Relations Officer, West Shore RCMP. “If you receive one of these letters, do not respond, do not send money, and do not provide any personal or financial information.”

The West Shore RCMP reminds the public that:

• The RCMP does not demand payment to avoid criminal charges.
• Criminal investigations are not resolved by paying a fine through unsolicited correspondence.
• The RCMP does not threaten to publicly identify individuals in an attempt to obtain payment or personal information.

Anyone who receives one of these letters should:

• Ignore the demands and do not send any money.
• Do not communicate with the sender.
• Retain the letter as evidence.
• Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police service.
• If you have already provided personal or financial information, contact your financial institution immediately and report the incident to police.

For more information on fraud prevention, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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