Kings District RCMP is warning the public about unsolicited emails threatening the recipient to contact them.
Police have received numerous reports of emails received posing as police, with actual police officer names and positions, threatening the recipient to contact them or "action" will be taken. Of course, a fake email is listed for contact. Once the contact is made, personal information and or something of financial value (eg. cash, gift card, crypto-currency) is demanded. In the cases of late, the email is suggesting the recipient was recently on pornography sites including child-porn and are requesting contact or their information will be sent to another authority (threat).
This type of scam is widespread and much is believed to go unreported. Police and legitimate organizations do not do business this way, they do not make threats. Police urge the public to "be wary of unsolicited contact whether it's by phone, text or email especially when it involves a request for your personal information or for you to reach into your wallet" says Sgt Wayne Ross of Nova Scotia RCMP Commercial Crime Section. Sgt Ross suggests that "should you get any form of communication and you are questioning the source, then reach out to that organization by a contact that you have obtained directly on your own, for example from a phonebook or its legitimate website".
Police strongly urge not to click on a link or to contact a source with the contact information provided within an unsolicited communication. The scammers are very convincing and are always a risk when in direct contact. Sgt. Wayne Ross further suggests "if you want to do something about this then tell family, friends, neighbours and co-workers, share your experience and understanding. You may prevent someone from becoming a victim."
The investigations are ongoing.
File #'s 2023-1476455, 2023-1481230