Edmonton police bust $20M cellphone scam traced to call centres in Pakistan
Police say 100 victims lost $20 million as investigators traced the scam to call centres in Pakistan and arrested one Edmonton suspect.
- On Tuesday, the Edmonton Police Service reported disrupting an international cellphone fraud network believed to have stolen more than $20 million from roughly 100 Edmontonians over at least two years.
- Impersonating providers like Rogers, Telus, and Virgin Mobile, scammers offered discounted cellphones and plans, then tricked victims into shipping devices to conspirators by falsely claiming the wrong phone was sent.
- Police arrested Johnathan Cesar and executed a search warrant last month at a home near 97 Street and 113 Avenue, seizing forgery equipment, fake identification documents, and electronic devices connected to the investigation.
- Investigations traced the operation to call centres in Lahore, Pakistan; sharing this intelligence with international law enforcement partners last month prompted enforcement actions that shut down several facilities.
- EPS Cst. Brian Mason of the virtual investigations section warns that the scam "exploits people's trust" and encourages Edmontonians to independently verify unsolicited telecommunications offers through official channels.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Edmonton police help crack down on international cellphone scam network based in Pakistan
Edmonton police say they were involved in a crackdown on a large-scale international cellphone fraud network that’s been targeting Canadians for at least two years now. The Edmonton Police Service says scammers, who were linked to multiple call centres in Lahore, Pakistan, called Canadians claiming to represent major telecommunications providers. The fraudsters would offer free […]
Edmontonians have lost $20 million to an international phone scam
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is warning residents about an international fraud network that has cost Edmontonians millions of dollars. In a Tuesday news release, EPS shared details on its investigation into the scam, which it says had been operating since at least October 2024 and was linked to multiple call centres in Lahore, Pakistan. As […]
EPS investigation helps disrupt international cellphone scam network
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is warning residents after an investigation helped to disrupt an international cellphone scam network. Investigation started in the fall of 2026 after the EPS identified a large-scale fraud operation targeting Canadians through calls falsely claiming to represent major telecommunication providers. Investigators found that this scam has been operational since at […]
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