A suspicious email claiming to be from FedEx demanded $1,200 to release a package allegedly intercepted near Campbell River, prompting a warning from local RCMP. The email also featured a RCMP logo. “In this case, the recipient recognized the potential scam, contacted police, and did not send money or click any links,” Campbell River RCMP Officer in Charge Jeff Preston said in a statement. “Upon review of the email, police noted several indicators commonly associated with fraudulent communications, including numerous spelling and grammatical errors, poorly written content, and the unauthorized use of a crude RCMP logo intended to make the email appear legitimate.” Preston says scammers often use urgency and authority to pressure people into handing over money or personal information. “If you receive unexpected correspondence demanding money, take the time to verify the information through official channels before responding,” he said. Police remind the public that law enforcement agencies do not demand payment to release packages via email, to never provide banking information to unknown individuals and to always communicate with the company from contact information that is publicly listed. Anyone receiving a suspicious message should delete it and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
