VicPD warns Victoria businesses after attempted deposit scam on Government Street

VicPD are warning local business owners to stay alert after two attempted frauds targeting downtown shops earlier this week.

According to police, investigators were contacted on March 9th by two businesses in the 900 block of Government Street. Staff reported receiving suspicious phone calls asking them to bring their daily cash deposits to an unknown individual.

Police say the first call occurred on March 8th when a man phoned one of the businesses. The following day, a woman called another business on the same block.

In both cases, the caller impersonated the business owner or the owner’s partner and used the correct names while instructing staff to deliver the day’s deposit to someone waiting in the 700 block of Fort Street.

The incident is similar to a phone-based scam known as “vishing.”

“Fraudsters leverage technology such as AI or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) numbers to trick people and try to get sensitive financial information,” said Detective Constable Vlad Filatov.

Staff at both businesses recognized that something did not seem right and refused the requests. As a result, no money was lost.

Police later determined the phone numbers used in the calls were VoIP numbers that have previously been linked to fraudulent activity.

Investigators say businesses can reduce the risk of falling victim to similar scams by requiring employees to independently verify unexpected financial requests with an owner or manager using a pre-arranged contact method.

Filatov added that employees should also be trained to recognize social engineering tactics, such as callers impersonating management and creating a sense of urgency in order to bypass normal procedures.

Police also caution that verification should not be done through email, as accounts can be compromised.

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, and police are encouraging residents and businesses to learn more about common scams and prevention tips online. Additional resources are also available through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by a scam is asked to contact the E-Comm non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654.