February 18,2026
RED FM News Desk
An elderly Burnaby, B.C., couple lost nearly $300,000 after being tricked by scammers posing as police officers, who told them their bank account had been compromised.
The Burnaby RCMP reported that the couple, both in their 80s, were contacted by someone claiming to be an RCMP officer. The caller said their bank had been hacked and instructed them to transfer their money to “secure” accounts.
Over several weeks, the couple moved funds through multiple deposits and were told not to contact the police. They were also directed to purchase gift cards as part of the scam.
They filed a police report on January 28, following advice from their bank.
Police remind the public that anyone claiming to be an officer can be verified by asking for their name and badge number and calling the department directly.
Cpl. Mike Kalanj called the scam particularly disturbing because it targeted seniors, stressing that neither police nor banks will ever ask customers to transfer money. Authorities are urging anyone receiving such requests to immediately contact their bank and report the matter to local police.
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