Alert Bay RCMP has successfully intervened in a complex, multi-jurisdictional fraud investigation targeting the ‘Namgis First Nation, preventing a total loss of funds intended for the construction of a new wellness and treatment centre.
On May 13, the First Nation reported being defrauded of roughly $406,000 after a fraudulent email redirected a payment meant for contractors to a fake account.
“Through swift investigative action, RCMP frontline officers were able to freeze a significant amount of money in a bank account linked to an organized crime group operating out of Eastern Canada,” said the Alert Bay RCMP’s news release on Dec. 22.
The freezing of the funds will allow the ‘Namgis First Nation to get the money back through court processes.
Alert Bay RCMP led an execution of a search warrant at a residence in Aurora, Ont. (57 minutes north of Toronto). Police uncovered forged documents, bank tokens, electronic devices, and a large quantity of suspected counterfeit currency, which led to the identification of suspects connected to organized crime and other major fraud cases across Canada.
Alert Bay RCMP is also collaborating with the Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption (CLCC) and other agencies to dismantle organized financial crime networks in Canada.
“Unlike most major financial crime investigations, which are typically handled by specialized units, this case was spearheaded by frontline officers at the Alert Bay RCMP detachment,” said Sgt. David Ribeiro, detachment commander of Alert Bay RCMP detachment.
“Their proactive approach, persistence, and collaboration with multiple agencies across Canada were instrumental in freezing funds and uncovering links to organized crime. Our officers not only identified the fraud quickly but also navigated complex legal processes and coordinated nationally—something rarely seen at the detachment level.”
The investigation is still active.