August 5,2025
RED FM News Desk
Victoria police department is warning the community about a growing type of online fraud known as “task-based” scams, after a local resident recently suffered a major financial loss.
According to a report filed on June 27, the victim was contacted in May via text by someone posing as a recruiter for a company. The scammer directed the individual to a website and a cryptocurrency app, and even provided a small sum of money to start.
The scheme quickly escalated. The victim was instructed to complete various tasks—such as writing online reviews and making investments—with the promise of reimbursement and commission. After investing a significant amount, the individual realized they had been scammed.
VicPD is urging the public to be cautious with unsolicited messages and to avoid investing money based solely on the direction of someone they don’t know online. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics and demand payment in cryptocurrency, which is difficult to trace and nearly impossible to recover.
Key warnings from VicPD include:
If someone demands payment in cryptocurrency or pressures you to act fast, it’s likely a scam.
Once money or cryptocurrency is sent, recovery is rarely possible.
Reporting suspected fraud immediately improves the chance of tracing funds.
To protect yourself, your family, or your business from fraud, visit vicpd.ca/fraud.
If you’ve been scammed, stop any payments, contact your bank, and report it to the E-Comm Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 ext. 1.
For attempted frauds or suspicious activity, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or submit a report online.
Tips to avoid online scams:
Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or job offers.
Always verify the identity of individuals or companies before sharing personal or financial details.
Don’t invest money based solely on advice from unknown sources.
Watch out for promises of guaranteed profits or easy money.
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