RCMP Detachment. Image via RMWB.CA
FORT MCMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP are launching a new Financial Crime Unit aimed at addressing the growing impact of fraud and cyber-related offences in the region.
The unit, announced Wednesday, will operate within the detachment’s general investigation section and is part of broader efforts to reduce crime and improve enforcement against increasingly complex financial offences.
Police say financial crime has become more sophisticated in recent years, often involving cyber-enabled schemes and networks that operate across jurisdictions and international borders. Investigators say those activities are increasingly affecting communities in northern Alberta.
The RCMP say the new unit will focus on identifying offenders, disrupting fraudulent activity and increasing charges in cases involving financial crimes targeting residents and businesses.
Officials are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been the victim of fraud to report it to police and their financial institution.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre advises victims to gather documentation related to suspected fraud, notify banks or credit providers and share information with others to help prevent additional cases.
Residents can report fraud to Wood Buffalo RCMP or through the national anti-fraud centre, which also provides information on common scams and prevention strategies.
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