Fake bank and police calls tricked Vancouver residents into transfers
Vancouver police warned that scammers are working in pairs — one posing as a bank investigator, the other as a senior VPD officer — to convince people their bank account is compromised and talk them into transferring money to cryptocurrency accounts. Both calls use spoofed numbers that look genuine on caller ID.
What happened
Two callers work together. The first claims to be a bank investigator and says your account has been compromised. The second claims to be a senior police officer and confirms the story, which makes the request feel official.
The caller ID is spoofed, so the number on your screen can look like a genuine bank or police line. The goal is to talk you into moving your own money, often into cryptocurrency, while you stay on the phone.
Warning signs
- A caller says your account is compromised and that you must act while they stay on the line.
- You are told to keep the call secret from bank staff or family members.
- A second caller claims to be a police officer confirming the first story.
- You are asked for passwords, one-time codes or your online banking details.
- You are asked to move money yourself, buy cryptocurrency, or withdraw cash to help an investigation.
What to do: STOP · VERIFY · CALL™
Hang up. Banks and police never ask for your passwords or for you to move money — call your bank back on the number printed on your card.
STOP
Hang up. Banks and police never ask for your passwords or one-time codes, and never ask you to move your own money to protect it.
VERIFY
Wait a few minutes, then call your bank back on the number printed on your card. Treat the number shown on your phone as unreliable, because caller ID can be faked.
CALL
Tell someone you trust what happened. If money has already moved, call your bank immediately and then report it to your local police.
Original source report
Vancouver Police Department, July 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Prepared by The Fraud Doctor
Reviewed by Arlene Chamulak, Founder
Last reviewed: September 14, 2026
This alert is shared for education and preparation only. It is a plain-language summary of a report published by the source named above, and it is not legal, financial, investigative or law-enforcement advice. The Fraud Doctor does not investigate fraud or recover money. If you believe a crime has taken place, contact your local police.