Police in Kelowna are warning locals to be on the look out for a new phone scam.
In recent days, police have received several reports detailing what the Mounties are calling the 'Service Canada Scam'.
Investigators say the scam specifically targets individuals who are immigrants to Canada and prey on their fear of being deported.
According to police, it begins with a cold-call from the scammer falsley claiming to be from Service Canada. The scammer claims that your Social Insurance Number has been compromised and threatens to have you arrested or deported unless you pay thousands of dollars in Bitcoin.
“This recent scam is concerning as the caller ID number shown is the phone number to the Kelowna RCMP Detachment.” said Cst. Lesley Smith.
Anyone who receives the scam call is advised to hang up the phone immediately and not to send any money or bitcoin.
“You do not need to call your local police if you have only received a scam phone call. We ask that you call your local police only if you have been victimized by the scam.”