REGINA — The Regina Police Service is reminding the community to be vigilant following a sharp increase in reports of financial crimes.
So far in 2025, there have been 781 reported fraud, counterfeit, and identity theft incidents, compared to 437 incidents during the same period in 2024, says the police service. Reported financial losses total approximately $10 million year-to-date, and investigators are currently managing over 100 active fraud investigations, says the RPS in a news release.
Business- Related Fraud and Theft
On July 7, police received a report of an internal fraud incident involving an employee at a local business. RPS says the female suspect had withdrawn significant amounts of money from company accounts, misappropriating a total of $248,000. On Oct. 16, a 36-year-old woman was charged with theft and fraud.
In addition to this, investigators have been working to hold offenders accountable in dozens of other cases affecting both individuals and businesses in Regina. One local company reported an internal fraud involving a former employee who accessed business funds, obtaining over $200,000 for personal gai, say police, adding that another business experienced losses exceeding $290,000 after a former employee issued and cashed unauthorized corporate cheques. RPS says investigators also uncovered suspected money laundering activity connected to a local automotive business, where proceeds from drug trafficking were believed to have been moved through vehicle sales.
Fraud and Theft Targeting Individuals
Citizens continue to be victimized by scammers and others looking to take advantage, says the RPS. In one report, a resident discovered his bank account had been compromised after identification was stolen from his vehicle, resulting in several months of unauthorized transactions that went without notice. Another investigation involved a suspect using fraudulent identification to cash counterfeit cheques at multiple business locations.
Police also say online and telephone scams continue to cause issues for Regina residents with reports coming in almost daily from those who have either been victimized or those who are reporting the suspicious activity.
The Regina Police Service reminds the public and business community to remain vigilant against fraud attempts and to take steps to protect their financial information:
- Verify the legitimacy of requests for payment or personal information.
- Monitor accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions.
- Report suspected fraud immediately to police at 306-777-6500 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
