Calgary police said cybercrime increased by more than 50% last year compared to 2023.
“Thus, the trends we see are mainly investment scams, romantic scams, identity scams, which can be financial institutions calling to tell you that you owe them money or even as scams of Grandparents, “said the acting sergeant. Jeanie Gilmore of the CPS Cyber Crimes unit.
“We also see a lot of job scams, so people apply for jobs that have seen a publication on the Internet, then somewhere insofar as they are asked to contribute money to be Paid for any service they have redirect, ”added Gilmore.
According to data presented Wednesday at the meeting of the Calgary police committee, there were 43 ransomware attacks last year – including one targeted on the Calgary public library which forced the branches through the city to close temporarily. This is compared to 28 ransomware attacks in 2023.
The Calgary police cybercrime unit said Calgarians lost $ 42.8 million in cryptocurrency cybercrimes in 2024, compared to $ 28.5 million a year earlier.
Global News
But the largest and most expensive of all cybercrimes are those that involve cryptocurrencies.
Get national news
For news that has an impact on Canada and worldwide, register for the safeguarding of news alerts that are delivered to you directly when they occur.
Collectively, Calgarians lost $ 42.8 million in cybercrimes linked to cryptocurrencies in 2024, compared to $ 28.5 million a year earlier.
“They will offer you high yields, quick yields – these are always skeptical things,” said Gilmore.
“Often, they can set up websites that will show you, well, it’s your account and it’s yields – so people believe they really have this money in an account when it is really a Prefabricated website. “”
“The scam will generally be allowed to continue running until you want to try to withdraw money,” added Gilmore, “and then we hear a lot, as if they wanted more money to Tax purposes now because now you need to pay taxes to withdraw this money – and generally there will be no chance of withdrawing your money, so that they cut all communications, they will have this website arrested, they will stop This account.
At this point, warns Gilmore, you can do nothing more.
The Calgary Police Calbercrime Unit says that the best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim is to do your research and be skeptical.
Calgary Global
The police committee was informed that there were Calgarians who lost their savings for such online crimes – and it is likely that the real number of cybercrimes is much higher than reported.
Asked how to protect you from becoming a victim, Gilmore said to do your research.
“Often, a quick search on Google will tell you if this website or investment company is a scam. The other options are just to be skeptical. If these are high yields, if you receive a call from your bank or a little child, someone who claims to need your help, the best thing to do is hang up and call them directly, ”advises Gilmore.
“Never use a number they have given you – don’t listen to the advice where they tell you not to contact your bank or not call a family member to check. If you ever receive a call like that, hang up and call – call the real person or family member. »»
And if you think you’ve been a victim, said Gilmore, call the police and give them as much information as possible.
& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.