Alberta RCMP warn businesses of bitcoin scam

Alberta RCMP have received a number of complaints from businesses who have fallen victim to the Head Office Bitcoin scam. Over the past several months, fraudsters have been targeting businesses throughout the province in a sophisticated scam in order to receive Bitcoin currency, defrauding both employees and businesses out of thousands of dollars.

Staff would receive a call from a person claiming to be a regional or district manager. In many cases the fraudster has researched the names of staff and managers. The fraudster had detailed information about the operations of the businesses, including the names and roles of various staff persons and store policies. This familiarity with the stores convinces the employee that the fraudsters were who they claimed to be. The staff are told that an important shipment is imminent and receiving it is vital.

The staff are then advised that there has been a problem with the payment for the shipment and the only way to not delay it is an immediate payment in bitcoin.

A second caller claiming to be an employee of the shipping company then calls to confirm the shipment and provide a tracking number and advises that payment is required before delivery.