By James Peters

RCMP say latest scam targets immigrants

Jul 14, 2016 | 10:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — Police are alerting the public to a new twist on the familiar Canada Revenue Agency scam.

In this iteration, the scammer will call up an immigrant to Canada impersonating an immigration officer, demanding the victim pay thousands of dollars to avoid deportation.

Corporal Shelkie says the culprits are clearly preying on those who fear being forced to leave the country, or taking advantage of a language barrier.

“It may be that they don’t understand what the person is saying. All they hear is that ‘it is immigration,’ and ‘deportation,’ and that they need money,” said Shelkie, adding “That is why it is important to speak with someone else, or to call the RCMP to make sure that they have the straight facts.” 

Shelkie adds a clear giveaway that this is a scam is that the scammer often asks for payment in the form of iTunes gift cards.

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“People will still go and buy thousands of dollars of iTunes gift cards, that there should be a tell that this is a scam.”

She notes a government agency would never do that.