TL;DR: Campbell River RCMP warned on October 20, 2026 about an email that looks like it’s from FedEx, says a package for you was stopped “south of Campbell River,” and demands $1,200 to release it. It even carries a crude RCMP logo. Police don’t collect fees by email, and no courier or agency charges you to “release” an intercepted parcel.
What the email says
According to Oak Bay News, the message claimed a package addressed to the recipient had been stopped south of Campbell River and would only be released once a fee was paid: $1,200. A Vancouver Island resident spotted it, reported it and didn’t click anything. Good instincts.
The twist is the mash-up of authority: a courier brand plus a police logo. Delivery scams usually threaten you with a missed parcel. This one hints you might be in trouble too.
Red flags the RCMP pointed out
- lots of spelling and grammar mistakes;
- badly written, oddly formal content;
- an unauthorized, crude RCMP logo meant to look official;
- a demand for immediate payment.
Campbell River’s officer in charge, Jeff Preston, said scammers “frequently attempt to create a sense of urgency or authority.” This email tried both at once.
The rules that make it obvious
- Police don’t collect fees or fines by unsolicited email.
- No legitimate agency charges a fee to release a package. Real customs duties on imports are handled by the carrier on its own site and are usually modest, not a round $1,200.
- A parcel you aren’t expecting can’t be “yours” in trouble. If you didn’t order anything, there’s nothing to release.
What to do with one
- Don’t click links, open attachments or reply.
- If you are expecting a parcel, check it on FedEx’s site by typing the address yourself.
- Delete it and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Related delivery scams in Canada
Text versions of the same trick use Canada Post and Purolator: see Canada Post text scams and Purolator text scams. Our FedEx text scam guide covers the SMS version.
If you get a lot of these, your email is probably on a few leaked lists. A free email exposure check will show which breaches it has appeared in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FedEx charge a fee to release an intercepted package?
Not like this. Legitimate customs charges are handled through the carrier’s own site, and police never collect fees by email.
Why does the email have an RCMP logo?
To scare you into paying. The RCMP says the logo was used without authorization.
How much did the scam email demand?
$1,200, according to Campbell River RCMP.
Where do I report a fake delivery email in Canada?
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, then delete it.
Sources
- Oak Bay News: Campbell River RCMP warns about fraudulent intercepted package scam (Oct 20, 2026)
- CTV News: Vancouver Island email scam demands $1,200 and features RCMP logo
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre