Edmonton police seek suspects in credit card fraud network operating across Canada

Edmonton police are investigating a debit and credit card fraud network, typically targeting seniors, that’s operating in at least five Canadian provinces.

The Edmonton Police Service is looking to identify 24 suspects believed to be connected to the fraud. On Wednesday, the EPS released surveillance photos of eight of them.

In the past year, Edmonton police say they have received 36 reports of a grandparent-type scam involving a caller claiming to be a bank employee, telling the victim their credit cards are being used outside Alberta’s capital.

The caller then instructs the victim to cut up their debit and credit cards and give them to a “bank courier.” The suspects then use the cards.

Edmonton police say an 85-year-old man was scammed out of $30,000 that way in January 2025.

In March, police identified and charged two suspects in connection with the fraud.

Authorities say the same group of suspects is involved in similar scams in Calgary, B.C, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

“Unfortunately, these types of scams are common, and seniors can be particularly vulnerable,” says Edmonton police Cst. Clayton Tipton. “We always encourage families to talk to their senior relatives about scams, and remind them that the bank will never call you to ask for your PIN or tell you to cut up your bank card and send it back to them.

“If you get a call from someone who says they are with your bank, it’s always OK to end the call and then contact the bank yourself to verify the request.”

Anyone with information about the suspects’ identities is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.