By rdnewsNOW staff

Stettler RCMP warn of ‘Gift Cloud’ scam

Nov 23, 2018 | 3:12 PM

Stettler RCMP have recently obtained information on an illegal scheme being conducted in the area commonly referred to as a ‘Gift Cloud’.

Mounties say the premise is that people are invited to participate in what’s considered a ‘gift sharing group’ in which each participant will provide an amount of money that will be put in a ‘pot’ that will be given to the person at the ‘top’ of the pyramid and be removed from the group. 

Once this happens, the group will split into 2 with participants moving ‘up a level’ and those below are encouraged to recruit additional people to continue the cycle again. 

Some common themes involving this scheme include participants often told to keep their involvement secret, the money is called a ‘gift’, participants are told the ‘Gift Cloud’ is not illegal because the money involved is considered a gift and participants are told their involvement is helping others in need. 

Police say the illegal gift sharing groups also have names suggesting the group is for a greater good. Some names within Alberta have included ‘Prosperity’, ‘Women Empowering Women’ and ‘Gift Cloud’. 

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RCMP say women are often targeted but there are indications that men’s groups are also in operation. 

Mounties remind people that this type of activity is illegal in Canada under the Criminal Code and there have been cases of those involved being charged for a variety of offences. 

If you find you’ve become involved in this type of situation, Stettler RCMP would like to encourage you to call the police, Crimestoppers or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501).