Telephone scam preys on immigrants

NEWS/ POLICE — Someone posing as an RCMP revenue administrator is calling people in Kamloops and threatening them with deportation.

The phone scam seems to be directed at recent immigrants, preying on their trust in the RCMP and vulnerability in a new country.

Two calls have been reported to Kamloops police since the weekend, although more may have gone unreported, said RCMP Cpl. Cheryl Bush. One call complaint was made on Saturday, the other on Monday.

“The language of the individual can be quite threatening and intimidating,” Bush said.

The fraudulent caller claims to be with the RCMP revenue department and threatens passport seizure and deportation unless the individual makes a money transfer amounting to several hundred dollars.

Bush said one of the calls was received by a resident who is not an immigrant.

RCMP suspect the calls are originating from overseas.

“I believe this is happening elsewhere.”