Canadian police warned on 4 March 2026, Wednesday, that fraudsters are using the Royal Canadian Mounted Police logo in fake crypto recovery schemes. The scam targets people who already lost money in earlier fraud cases. In Nanaimo, British Columbia, one resident first lost about C$5,000 in a crypto job scam and later faced a second approach from someone who claimed he could recover the funds.
Police said the promotion suggested the false involvement of the RCMP. They also added that the RCMP does not contact people about crypto accounts or request payment to investigate fraud. With the growing number of reports, authorities urge all users to verify all claims before sending money or sharing personal details.
The warning followed a case in Nanaimo where a resident lost money in two linked schemes. First, the person received an unsolicited text message about a remote stock-trading job. The offer required a crypto deposit through an ATM. After the victim sent the money, communication with the supposed employer stopped soon, according to a report from CHEK.
Later, the same person found an online message that looked like an RCMP public notice. The message encouraged fraud victims to report similar cases through a form. After submitting the form, the victim received a call from a man who claimed to be a lawyer. He said he had identified two crypto accounts linked to the victim.
He also claimed he could help recover about C$60,000 in supposed earnings. Police said the message and the promotion implied the false involvement of the RCMP.
The Nanaimo RCMP said the force does not offer services to recover crypto assets. Officers also said they do not partner with private firms to retrieve lost digital assets. Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien, media relations officer at the Nanaimo RCMP, addressed the issue directly. He said the RCMP does not contact people about discovered cryptocurrency accounts.
He also said the RCMP does not request payment to investigate fraud. Any message that claims otherwise is fraudulent. Police said law enforcement does not advertise recovery services. They urged residents to stay alert when they receive unsolicited job offers through text messages, social media, or online ads.
They also warned people to treat crypto requests and crypto ATM deposits with caution. At the same time, officers urged residents to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a lawyer, investigator, or financial professional. Authorities said residents should check websites and identities through official bodies. They also advised people to report fraud quickly if they suspect a scam.
Andy Zhou, co-founder and CEO of blockchain security firm BlockSec, told Decrypt that the tactic is becoming more organized. He said these schemes are becoming more systematic rather than random incidents.
Zhou said people often call this pattern a fake recovery service scam. He explained that scammers often have information from the original fraud, which helps them sound convincing.
He said attackers also exploit the fact that victims search online for ways to recover lost funds. As a result, criminals create fake recovery services and ads that claim victims appear on a government-linked list.
Read More: Crypto Phishing Scams in 2026: New Threats and How to Stay Protected
Those messages claim the funds can be retrieved. Zhou said the methods aim to create urgency and credibility.
He added that the scam can persuade victims because many people believe law enforcement needs special expertise to trace blockchain transactions. That belief can make the false story seem plausible.
Canadian police have been training in crypto investigations since 2022. The program helps officers understand how cryptocurrencies work and how criminals use them in fraud involving digital assets.
Canadian police warned that fraudsters are using the RCMP logo in a crypto recovery scam to target people who already lost money in an earlier fraud. Authorities said the RCMP never offers recovery services or asks for payment. Residents should verify all claims and report suspicious contact quickly.