Based on coverage from Castanet, Times Colonist, CHEK News, and Victoria Buzz.
Police in British Columbia have successfully intervened in a significant fraud scheme targeting the 'Namgis First Nation on northern Vancouver Island. The scam redirected $406,000 intended for contractors building a new wellness and treatment centre to a fraudulent bank account. The Alert Bay RCMP, in collaboration with authorities in Eastern Canada, managed to freeze a substantial portion of the funds, which are now available for return through court processes.
Alert Bay RCMP Lead Multi-Jurisdictional Investigation
The case came to light on May 13, 2025, when the 'Namgis First Nation reported the fraudulent activity to the Alert Bay RCMP. The funds, earmarked for a 16-bed treatment centre on Cormorant Island, were diverted through a fraudulent email scam. The RCMP's swift action led to the freezing of a significant amount of the stolen money in a bank account linked to an organized crime group in Eastern Canada.
Ontario Raid Uncovers Counterfeit Currency and More
Following the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Aurora, Ontario. This operation uncovered forged documents, electronic devices, and a large quantity of suspected counterfeit currency. The raid also identified suspects connected to organized crime and other major fraud cases across Canada. The Alert Bay RCMP's efforts were crucial in coordinating this multi-jurisdictional investigation, which involved collaboration with Quebec's Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption.
'Namgis First Nation Responds to Fraud Incident
In response to the incident, the 'Namgis First Nation has committed to reviewing and improving its financial and cybersecurity procedures to prevent future occurrences. The nation expressed relief that a portion of the funds will be returned and acknowledged the possibility of insurance coverage for some of the losses. In a statement, the 'Namgis First Nation thanked the Alert Bay RCMP and partner agencies for their swift and professional response to the fraud.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Precautions
The RCMP's investigation into the fraud is ongoing, with authorities urging organizations to verify payment instructions through secure channels to mitigate the risk of similar scams. The proactive approach and persistence of the Alert Bay RCMP, particularly under the leadership of Sgt. David Ribeiro, have been instrumental in disrupting this fraud and uncovering links to organized crime networks. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and inter-agency cooperation in tackling complex financial crimes.
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All sources reported that the Alert Bay RCMP prevented a fraud scheme targeting the 'Namgis First Nation, recovering a significant portion of $406,000 that was redirected to a fake bank account linked to an organized crime group in Eastern Canada. No meaningful differences in coverage were found across the sources provided.
