Fraud cases frustrating for Barrhead RCMP

Barrhead RCMP saw total Criminal Code offences increase by 18 per cent in 2023, according to the local detachment commander.

Vicente reported quarterly and year-end crime statistics to Town of Barrhead councillors Feb. 13. As Vicente previously reported to Barrhead County council, the detachment responded to 100 more complaints in 2023 compared to 2022, with a spike in thefts over $5,000 due to thefts from oil and gas sites and a spike in fraud stats in the last quarter.

In total Barrhead RCMP recorded 3,849 total offences and incidents in 2023, up just under five per cent from 3,668 in 2022, according to numbers presented in Vicente's report to council. Criminal Code offences were up by 18 per cent in 2023, with 982 offences compared to 834, while traffic offenses were flat and motor vehicle collisions rose by three per cent.

Coun. Don Smith asked about the RCMP's success in its fraud investigations. Vicente said fewer than 10 per cent can be stopped, since most financial frauds involve e-transfers with proceeds going outside Canada and becoming nearly impossible to prosecute. Every complaint requires police to seek a warrant to get bank information which can take up to 30 days to confirm that the money cannot be traced or recovered.

"Unfortunately the Internet makes it easy for people to be a fraudster," Vicente said. "It is a very frustrating aspect of our job."

Frauds can range from private sale transactions on social media up to investment and Bitcoin scams, Vicente said. Police still advise those who have been affected by fraud to report them to the RCMP and direct them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.