Warning over new scam using job seekers as ‘money mules’

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — RCMP officers in Prince George are warning the public of a new scam affecting people looking for jobs.

According to a media release, scammers target people who answer fraudulent ads for potential employment.

The “employers” send the victim a cheque, asking them to cash it and send some of the money back to the fraudster, providing a fake excuse as to why they need victims to cash the cheque.

“The cheques are fraudulent, but this isn’t always caught until after you have already sent the fraudsters the funds,” explains media relations officer Jennifer Cooper. 

“This means you are out all of that money, which can sometimes be in the thousands of dollars.”

Officers are urging people never to agree to receive funds into their personal bank accounts to move somewhere else, as there’s a good chance they’re being used as “money mules” in part of a money laundering or fraud scheme.

Anyone who has been a victim of a scam is urged to contact the RCMP or report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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