Hidden crime exposed: Authorities warn of digital fraud surge

March is Fraud Prevention Month, and police are warning that artificial intelligence is making scams harder than ever to detect.

March is Fraud Prevention Month, and police agencies in North Bay are teaming up with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to warn the public about the rapidly evolving nature of fraud in the digital age. As technology advances, so do the tactics of criminals who increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and digital platforms to target victims.

While fraud has traditionally been viewed as a crime that begins with a single phone call, email or online message, investigations now reveal a more complex reality. Authorities say many scams are part of larger, criminal networks that leverage anonymity and speed to reach victims across the globe.

“It’s one of the only types of crime that comes right into our residents from all over the world,” said Jeff Horncastle, a spokesperson for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Hidden crime leaving lasting financial scars

Fraud is often described as a hidden crime – one that does not always leave visible damage but creates a lasting financial impact on victims. Last year, reported fraud losses in Canada exceeded $700 million. However, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre emphasizes that this figure represents only a fraction of actual losses, with an estimated 5 to 10 per cent of incidents reported to authorities.

North Bay police Det. Const. Zach Dagg explained to CTV News how scammers manipulate victims through psychological tactics.

“They prey on urgency,” Dagg said.

“Oftentimes victims think that a family member’s name was used when in fact it really wasn’t.”

AI making scams harder to detect

The quick emergence of AI is leading scammers to manoeuvre using sophisticated tools that make fraudulent activities increasingly difficult to identify. A new poll by RBC, released each Fraud Prevention Month, reveals growing concern among Canadians about their ability to distinguish between legitimate content and scams.

Key findings from the RBC poll include:

• 87 per cent of Canadians say it is getting harder to know whether an ad is real or a scam
• 75 per cent feel it is getting tougher to tell if a business’ website is legitimate when shopping online
• 39 per cent do not feel confident they can spot artificial intelligence-powered scams today
• 68 per cent say AI will eventually make scams impossible to detect

“I’ve seen it personally, in terms of an emergency type scam where family members are calling in some sort of crisis and they’re suspected that AI may have been used in some of those instances,” Dagg said.

The use of deepfake technology has become particularly concerning for authorities.

“We’re seeing it being used with deepfakes on social media or advertisements online, where it might be a trusted political figure or maybe a news anchor promoting a cryptocurrency platform,” Horncastle said.

Protecting vulnerable populations and reporting fraud

The anti-fraud centre and police encourage people to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. Authorities note that certain populations are at higher risk and may not be receiving prevention messages.

“The people that are vulnerable within our community fall prey to a lot of these things and I think those are the people that aren’t necessarily getting the message,” Dagg said.

The public is encouraged to:

• Be cautious of unexpected or urgent requests for money or personal information.
• Take time to verify before sending funds or sharing details.
• Discuss fraud attempts openly with family, friends and colleagues.
• Report fraud, even if no money was lost.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by fraud is encouraged to contact their local police service and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

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