News release

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador warn residents of email extortion scam

January 28, 2026 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

Content

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador is warning the public of an email scam that is once again making its rounds. The scammer represents themselves as part of the RCMP, investigating online sexual related offences against youth and threatens arrest.

On Friday January 23, 2026, Gander RCMP and the RCMP-RNC Integrated Internet Child Exploitation (IICE) unit received a report from an individual who had received such a concerning email, signed by the Commissioner of the RCMP. The scammer stated that the individual was the subject of a cybercrime police investigation for sexual offences committed against a youth, and they further cautioned that an arrest warrant would be issued against the individual if they failed to respond to the email within 48-hours.

The email address used to contact the individual in this particular incident was rcmpgrcweb@gmail.com. This email address is not associated to the RCMP.

RCMP NL warns that this is an extortion scam, which is outlined on the Canadian Anti-Fraud website at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/extortion-extorsion-eng.htm#a0 .

If you are the subject of a criminal investigation, police officers will contact you, most commonly in person. Contact could also take place over the phone or via email however, formal statements about an investigation will be taken in person. Findings of guilt are determined through a judicial court process and not by the police.

If you receive an email similar to this, please contact your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to make a report. In addition to the above traditional reporting channels, victims are encouraged to report cybercrime and fraud online at https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/ 

Contacts