TL;DR: On July 15, 2026, West Shore RCMP warned about a fake letter in circulation that falsely presents itself as an RCMP document from the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3). It accuses recipients of serious offences and threatens prosecution and public release of their identity unless they respond or pay within 24 hours.
What happened
The RCMP warning says the letter tried to frighten recipients into paying a fine to avoid criminal charges. The RCMP noted it relied on false criminal allegations, threats of exposure, a short deadline and legal references that do not match how Canadian police conduct investigations.
The article does not state the fine amount or any dollar figure.
Why it works
Fear of being publicly accused drives people to pay quickly and quietly, which is exactly what the sender wants. A formal letter on paper looks more official than an email.
The RCMP state that police do not demand payment to avoid charges, do not resolve criminal investigations through fines in unsolicited mail, and do not threaten to publicly identify people to extract money or information.
Background: our explainers on sextortion scams. See also Barrie Woman Loses C$56,000 to Fake Bank Investigator Call and Parkland RCMP: Fake “Bail” Call Sent Victim to a Crypto Machine.
What the RCMP advise
- Ignore the letter, do not pay and do not contact the sender.
- Keep the letter as evidence.
- Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police.
- If you have already shared personal or financial information, contact your bank or financial institution immediately and report it to police.
If you have already sent money
Call your bank or card issuer at once and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) and your local police. Our guides on reporting to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadian bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the fake letter claim?
That it comes from the RCMP’s National Cybercrime Coordination Centre and accuses the recipient of serious offences, demanding a response or payment within 24 hours.
Does the RCMP ever demand a fine by letter?
No. The RCMP say they do not demand payment to avoid charges or resolve investigations through fines in unsolicited mail.
What should I do with the letter?
Ignore it, do not pay or contact the sender, keep it as evidence and report it.
Who do I report it to?
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police.
Sources
- RCMP West Shore: West Shore RCMP warns public about fraudulent letter impersonating police (Jul 15, 2026)
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Related Reading
- Barrie Woman Loses C$56,000 to Fake Bank Investigator Call
- Parkland RCMP: Fake “Bail” Call Sent Victim to a Crypto Machine
- AFP Reveals the Script Cambodian Scammers Used to Pose as Police
- Canada Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live