AMHERST – An email fraud that’s recently cropped up in Nova Scotia has hit our area.
“We are aware of a report of an attempted scam,” said Sgt. Alain LeBlanc, a media relations officer for the RCMP in Nova Scotia. The local victim got in touch with the Cumberland detachment of the national police force.
The RCMP has a double interest in the scam: in addition to warning the public about a fraud, their logo is being used to fool victims.
In a press release forwarded to this newspaper by LeBlanc, the email is described as “appear(ing) to be authored and circulated by the RCMP.”
“The email provides a link that leads to an official-looking website and asks the recipient to pay money. This is a scam and any personal information provided to this site goes directly to scam artists,” said the document.
In some cases, victims are informed they’ve been dectected illegally downloading music or movies and must pay a $100 fine. Some recipients of the email have found their computers frozen, and have received instructions their computer will function again once a fine is paid.
“The RCMP does not communicate with the public about fines or police matters in this way,” said the press release. “If you receive this email, delete it immediately.”
The RCMP’s warning ends with a simple piece of advice: “Never send anyone money or other sensitive information about yourself.”
Twitter: @ADNsparling
