Edmonton Police Work With ‘Ethical Hackers’ and US Law Enforcement to Stop Millions in Scam Losses

Edmonton police say a nearly year-long partnership with “ethical hackers” who infiltrate online fraud operations helped identify victims of active scams and prevent more than $45 million in losses.

Between July 2025 and May 2026, the Edmonton Police Service worked with a network of ethical hackers—also known as “scam baiters”—who gathered information tied to ongoing fraud schemes and shared it with investigators, police said in a news release.

Edmonton police then worked with the U.S. Secret Service and Collin County Texas Sheriff’s Office to identify the victims and stop money transfers before the funds could reach the scammers.

“We were able to convince over 300 victims within Canada, the U.S., a few in the UK as well that they were being victimized and we were able to start shutting that scam down,” Virtual Investigations Section Cst. Brian Mason said at a press conference on May 22. “As of yesterday, it’s actually over $45 million that we’ve actually subverted in losses and that just continues to climb.”

In cases where police were unable to contact victims directly, they would sometimes engage banks and service providers to stop or freeze financial accounts before losses occurred, the release says.

“Contacting victims was often difficult because the information received was fragmented and incomplete,” Mason said. “Once contacted, convincing them they are being scammed wasn’t always easy and often involved the support of local police agencies and sometimes family members.”

Police said the scams included fraudsters posing as government agencies or major retailers offering refunds, then requesting payments through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, mailed cheques, cash pickups, or product shipments.

In total, police say they contacted more than 50 law enforcement agencies while helping more than 300 victims. In the largest single case in the investigation, police prevented a loss of US$4 million in a case in the United States, according to the release.

“Scammers relentlessly target victims across borders, making their crimes a truly global threat,” said Peter Murphy, the resident agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Vancouver Resident Office.

Mason reminded the public that retailers and government agencies do not ask for personal or financial information over the phone, via email, or through text message, nor do they ask for access to an individual’s computer to assist them.

“If you are unsure about a communication, or you are not expecting an interaction with a government agency or a refund from a retailer, ignore or disengage and report it to your local anti-fraud centre. If you were scammed, contact your local police,” he said.

Edmonton police maintain a website offering tips on identifying and preventing fraud.

Scammers often rely on emotional pressure—such as fear, urgency, guilt, or excitement—to push victims into acting quickly without verifying the situation, according to the website. A key red flag is any request for unusual or untraceable payment methods such as  gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or money orders, especially when paired with instructions to keep the transaction secret or avoid telling family, friends, or authorities.

Other common indicators include unsolicited messages or calls claiming you have won money or owe a debt, as well as links or attachments that prompt account verification or payments. Police advise people to pause, verify requests independently using official contact information, and speak with someone they trust before taking action, since many scams rely on isolating victims and preventing outside confirmation.