Enforcement Services

Fraud prevention is crucial in combating various scams that target individuals through different channels.

Romance scams, for instance, involve scammers creating fake profiles on dating sites or social media platforms to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money. These scammers often claim to be in distress or need financial assistance for emergencies, exploiting the victim's emotions.

Phishing emails are another common scam, where fraudsters send deceptive emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, tricking recipients into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links.

Job scams promise lucrative employment opportunities but require upfront fees for training or materials, leaving victims with nothing in return.

Buy and sell fraud involves scammers posing as buyers or sellers on online marketplaces, deceiving individuals into paying for non-existent goods or services.

Lottery and prize scams claim the victim has won a large sum of money but require payment of fees to release the winnings.

Tech repair scams involve fraudsters posing as tech support agents, convincing victims that their devices have issues and charging for unnecessary repairs.

Impersonation scams are particularly deceptive, with scammers pretending to be trusted entities like government officials, law enforcement, or company representatives to extract money or personal information.

By staying informed about these scams and adopting preventive measures, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent activities. Watching educational videos, such as those provided by the Edmonton Police Service, can further enhance awareness and understanding of these scams.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Fraud Prevention Month, held annually in March, is a campaign designed to raise awareness about various types of fraud and how to prevent them. Initiated by the Canadian Competition Bureau in 2004, this month-long event aims to educate the public on recognizing, rejecting, and reporting fraudulent activities

During Fraud Prevention Month, several common scams are highlighted to help people stay vigilant:

• Investment fraud via social media often involves scammers posing as financial advisors or successful investors, luring victims with promises of high returns.
• Ponzi or pyramid schemes entice individuals to invest in a business model that relies on recruiting new investors to pay returns to earlier investors.
• Cryptocurrency schemes exploit the complexity and novelty of digital currencies to deceive investors with fake coins or fraudulent investment opportunities.
• Real estate scams can involve fake property listings or fraudulent investment opportunities in real estate projects.
• Offshore investing schemes promise high returns through investments in foreign markets, often hiding the true nature of the investment and making it difficult for victims to recover their money.

If you have any other questions or need further details regarding frauds, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Fraud and relationship scams have become increasingly prevalent in today’s digital age, exploiting individuals seeking companionship. These scams often begin with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps and social media platforms, where they build a rapport with their victims over time. Once trust is established, the scammer may fabricate a crisis or urgent need for money, convincing the victim to transfer funds. The emotional manipulation involved can be devastating, leaving victims not only financially drained but also emotionally scarred.

To protect oneself from such scams, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and skeptical of online interactions, especially when financial requests are made. Verifying the identity of the person you’re communicating with through video calls or other means can help ensure their authenticity. Additionally, being aware of common red flags, such as inconsistent stories or reluctance to meet in person, can help individuals avoid falling prey to these schemes.

Reporting suspicious activities to relevant authorities can also aid in preventing others from becoming victims. By staying informed and cautious, individuals can better safeguard themselves against the emotional and financial toll of relationship scams.

If you suspect suspicious fraudulent activity, contact your local RCMP detachment:

Parkland RCMP detachment

Evansburg RCMP detachment

For additional video information and resources regarding Relationship and Romance Scams click here...Fraud - Relationship Scams (videos)

Revisit YourParkland.ca\Enforcement next week for Frauds relating to Investment Scams.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Parkland County Enforcement Services works closely with local RCMP agencies. Here are some significant statistics recently shared by Parkland RCMP...

Parkland RCMP Statistics - Crime Reduction (Property Crime)

[January-November 2023 compared to January-November 2024]

Criminal Code Offences:

• Persons Crime – 29% decrease
• Property Crime – 11% decrease
• Other Criminal Code – 39% decrease

Select Property Crime:

• Break & Enters – 10% decrease
• Theft of Motor Vehicles – 33% decrease
• Theft Under $5000 – 2% decrease

Total Criminal Code Offences – decrease of 20%

Building Safer Communities...Together.

The Parkland County Communications team is excited to launch the Caring for the County campaign, featuring the great work that has been done this past year across the County and our exceptional County employees who have helped to make that success happen.

You will start to see some familiar faces in our social media posts, physical brochures and at upcoming in-person County events. The campaign will help residents recognize that municipal government employees are real people - their neighbours. Parkland County employees care about their community and want the most from their tax dollars because they are residents too! 'Caring for the County' features employees from across the County who are also residents, highlighted alongside many of the successes the County achieved in 2024.

A big thank-you to all our spokesmodels who graciously agreed to share their love of living in Parkland County!

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Parkland County Enforcement Services (PCES) is pleased to announce a second recovered stolen vehicle in the past two weeks!

While conducting a Community Patrol in the Hamlet of Wabamun, a Parkland County Peace Officer observed a black pick-up style truck matching the description of a suspected stolen vehicle. The Officer immediately queried the license plate and confirmed that the vehicle was in fact stolen. The Peace Officer then contacted RCMP and the vehicle was subsequently seized and towed.

Acting on information supplied by local residents, and working in close conjunction with local RCMP, PCES continues to strive to make our communities safer. This sharing of intelligence has proven crucial in the recovery of several stolen vehicles in the Wabamun area in the past six months.

If you notice anything that you deem as unusual or suspicious, we urge you to contact Parkland County or your local RCMP detachment. Teamwork will help us continue to reduce and prevent crime in our neighbourhoods. Thank You!

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Last night was an informative and fun evening!

Fallis Community Association coordinated a community presentation by local RCMP (Sgt. Jeff Sutherland) and Parkland County Peace Officer (Ryan Berezanski). Information was presented regarding RCMP crime trends and a community update which was followed by a CPTED presentation (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and an information session discussing the YourParkland.ca community interaction website available to all Parkland residents. The presentations were concluded with a Question and Answer period, addressing thoughts and concerns from the many residents in attendance.

Similar presentations and community interaction events are available to all communities in Parkland County. We love to meet our residents and offer information and insights on various topic areas including Suspicious Activity in your area, CPTED, OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) use, Responsible Pet Ownership, Traffic and Safety concerns, etc.

To arrange for a presentation in your community, simply contact us at ParklandCounty.com.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Earlier this month, while conducting a Community Patrol in the Hamlet of Wabamun, an observant Parkland County Peace Officer noticed something that caught her eye. A vehicle was parked in front of a grocery store displaying a license plate that did not match the vehicle. The license plate had expired in 2022 and the vehicle had been registered to a driver from Humbolt, Saskatchewan. Also of interest, upon further inspection there was no VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) plate attached to the dash, as there should be. The Officer monitored the vehicle for a short time, intending to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver did not return to the vehicle.

Based on the information above, the Officer concluded that the best appropriate action was to tow the vehicle. Upon arrival, the tow truck operator accessed the vehicle and noticed that the ignition had been tampered with (often indicating a stolen vehicle). The Officer also observed various 'Break and Enter' tools, cut locks and miscellaneous suspicious items located inside the vehicle. Also inside the vehicle was a license plate that appeared to match the vehicle.

The Peace Officer contacted local RCMP to inform them of the circumstances. The Officer subsequently towed the vehicle from the scene, impounding it for follow-up investigation. RCMP followed up the investigation, contacting the Peace Officer and advising her that the vehicle had indeed been stolen from Edmonton in November, 2024. The RCMP investigation continues...

Parkland County Peace Officers often collaborate with local RCMP members. This time it resulted in what RCMP termed a "good catch"! Hard work, a keen eye, and diligence does indeed pay off!

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Officers also participate in multiple Joint Force Operations with the Alberta Sheriffs and assist in taking unsafe Commercial Vehicles off our roadways. Your safety is our biggest concern and focus!

Building Safer Communities...Together.