Vancouver police say they’re seeing a ‘sharp increase’ in bank card scams

Credit and bank cards are seen in this undated file image.

Vancouver police say they’ve seen “a sharp increase” in a “sophisticated” bank card scam in recent months, with fraudsters posing as bank investigators.

More than $1.2 million has been lost in 56 reports of the scam in Vancouver so far in 2025, the Vancouver Police Department said in a news release Friday.

More than half of that total – some $685,000 worth of cash and “high-value assets” such as gold bars – has been lost in three major incidents over the last two months, the VPD said.

“These recent cases show a disturbing trend where vulnerable people are being exploited by highly organized and deceptive criminals,” said Const. Tania Visintin, in the release.

“We urge the public to stay alert, protect their personal information, and contact police if they suspect fraudulent activity.”

The first of the three recent incidents occurred on May 22, when the victim received a call from a man claiming to be from Scotiabank. The call came from a blocked number, and the victim “disclosed personal banking information” to the fraudster, police said.

The victim is now locked out of her account and unable to access statements.

A week later, on May 29, VPD officers were called to a home in the West End, where an 83-year-old woman was defrauded of $17,000.

“The victim, experiencing early signs of dementia, had no recollection of providing her card and PIN to an unknown suspect,” police said in their release.

The largest of the three incidents occurred on June 9, when “suspects impersonating RBC fraud investigators” scammed a victim out of $65,000 in cash and “multiple gold bars valued at approximately $600,000,” according to police.

The VPD said its investigation is ongoing and the incidents are believed to be linked to “a highly organized crime group, potentially operating from Eastern Canada.”

“Investigators believe these scams are part of a wider, well-co-ordinated operation using high-pressure tactics and sophisticated deception to manipulate victims,” said Visintin. “No legitimate financial institution will ever ask for your PIN, full account number, or instruct you to transfer or surrender funds under threat.”

Police said the suspect or suspects in these three crimes have not been identified, and the VPD Financial Crime Unit is working with “regional and national partners” to trace the suspects and “track related activity.”

“Anyone with information about this scam is asked to come forward immediately,” police said. “If it’s a crime in progress or if there is an immediate safety concern, please call 911.”