Shanghai police scam targeting Asian community in Mississauga, Brampton and Ontario

Peel police are warning the community about a scam that targets the Chinese community.

In this scam, the caller claims to be from the Shanghai police or Beijing police. The automated call threatens that if  you don’t pay immediately, you will be arrested. In other variations the caller claims to be from Interpol, the Chinese consulate, or a delivery agency.

It’s a scam, notes the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

“These calls can be very intimidating and threatening,” they say.

The details in the calls vary, but generally they claim customs intercepted a letter or package in your name, and implicate you in the fraud.

The caller might say customs stopped a suspicious package containing many bank cards and you are the subject of an investigation.

They could direct you to go to a fake “police” website to verify your identity and provide a copy of your passport. Or they may tell you there fraudulent funds in your bank account and then ask for your bank information.

Fraud Alert from @canantifraud. Alerting the public that scammers are making phone calls claiming to be the Shanghai Police. If you get a call threatening to arrest you if you don’t pay money, hang up, don’t provide any financial information. Learn more ➡️https://t.co/cCa0mtpE4w https://t.co/ZhFZffl72K

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) September 2, 2022

“Don’t be intimidated by high-pressure sales tactics,” the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre advises.  “Watch out for urgent pleas that play on your emotions.”

You can request the information in writing or simply hang up.

Always verify that the organization you’re dealing with is legitimate before you send money or provide personal information. Never provide your name, address, birthday, social insurance number, credit card or banking information to an unsolicited caller.

“If you didn’t initiate the call, you don’t know who you’re talking to.”