Fraud knows no boundaries
March is Fraud Prevention Month. This week, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is focusing on the ways in which fraud operates beyond borders as a serious and organized crime, not an isolated mistake or a victimless offence.
Fraud is global phenomenon today. Many frauds affecting Canadians are run by organized criminal groups operating out of multiple countries. Using technology, social media, and online platforms, fraudsters can reach victims anywhere in the world. What feels like a personal or local fraud is often part of a much larger global operation.
In 2025, the CAFC documented victim payments going to 3,019 unique bank accounts in 46 different countries. The top 10 locations were:
- Canada
- United States
- Hong Kong
- Vietnam
- United Kingdom
- Indonesia
- India
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- Netherlands
This global crime phenomenon has also gained the attention of international law enforcement, who have pulled together in efforts like Interpol’s Operation HAECHI.
Operation HAECHI focused on large-scale online fraud such as investment fraud, romance fraud, phishing, and business email compromise. Through this operation, authorities shut down fraud operations, arrested offenders, disrupted money mule networks, and seized criminal proceeds linked to victims worldwide, including Canadians. These efforts show how fraud networks rely on international systems to operate.
In addition to efforts led by law enforcement around the world, there are also other international organizations recognizing the global impact of fraud. For instance, at a 2024 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime event, it was noted that “fraud today isn’t just reserved for the headlines or high-profile cases. We are all potential victims in this interconnected world. Fraudsters are masters of deception, blending into their environment like wolves in sheep’s clothing. There is a growing recognition that we need to take collective action to tackle this threat"Footnote 1.
The UNODC is hosting The Global Fraud Summit from March 16-17, which will serve as a pivotal platform to galvanize international action by fostering high-level dialogue, political and law enforcement commitments, and effective cross-sector collaboration.
Before you send money to international fraudster, here are a few things to remember:
- Be cautious of unexpected calls, texts, emails, or online messages, even if they seem professional or urgent
- Fraudsters often pretend to be trusted organizations, businesses, government agencies, or romantic partners
- Never send money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or personal information to someone you have not verified
- Requests for secrecy or pressure to act quickly are common warning signs of fraud
- If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is
If you or someone you know has been targeted or lost money to fraud, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on the Report Cybercrime and Fraud website. Reporting helps warn others and supports efforts to disrupt organized fraud in Canada and around the world.
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