Police in Gatineau, Quebec, say they interrupted an alleged police impersonation scam in progress and arrested two young men from the Montreal area. Investigators say the suspects were collecting victims’ bank cards as part of a broader fraud tactic that has also drawn warnings from Ontario Provincial Police.

Gatineau police say they stopped an apparent police impersonation fraud earlier this week after receiving a report of someone pretending to be an officer and collecting bank cards from residents. The incident was reported on rue de l’Érablière, near Les Promenades Gatineau mall, prompting officers to respond.

Police say two young men from the Montreal area were arrested at the scene. They now face multiple charges, including impersonating a peace officer, fraud, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Authorities say the case reflects a growing fraud tactic in which suspects pose as police officers and pressure victims into handing over financial information or bank cards. Earlier this month, Ontario Provincial Police warned that the scam had emerged as a serious threat, with some victims losing substantial sums of money. In one reported case cited by OPP, a victim was told their bank cards had been compromised and that someone would come to collect them, leading to multiple arrests.

Gatineau police told CBC that they opened 50 cases involving fake police calls in February alone, with seniors frequently being targeted. The scam often relies on urgency, fear, and false authority, with callers claiming the victim has been linked to a crime or that their accounts are at risk.

Police are urging the public to be cautious if they receive calls from anyone claiming to be an officer and requesting sensitive information or physical bank cards. Residents are advised to hang up and contact a police station directly to verify the call. Investigators also warn people not to rely on caller ID, since phone numbers can be spoofed to look like they are coming from law enforcement.

The arrests in Gatineau suggest police are becoming more alert to this form of fraud, but the volume of recent cases shows the scam remains active and continues to pose a significant risk, especially to older Canadians.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.