Fake Service Canada Arrest-Warrant Phone Scam
Criminals call Canadians impersonating Service Canada agents, claiming an RCMP warrant for their arrest has been issued due to SIN-linked criminal activity, and demanding immediate payment to cancel it. Service Canada has no arrest powers and never demands gift card payment to resolve investigations.
Part of: Fake Arrest Warrant Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
The fake arrest-warrant script — claiming a government number has been linked to crime and that immediate payment will prevent arrest — has been adapted for Canada using Service Canada as the impersonated authority and the RCMP as the threatening enforcement agency. This combination exploits the authority of two well-known Canadian government institutions.
The call typically claims the victim's Social Insurance Number was used in a fraud investigation, that a case file has been opened, and that an RCMP warrant is about to be executed unless a 'case resolution payment' is made through prepaid cards or wire transfer.
Service Canada does not have arrest powers. RCMP investigations do not result in same-day resolution via gift card payment. Any call presenting this scenario is fraudulent.
How this scam works on the Service Canada brand
A caller introduces themselves as a Service Canada Compliance Officer and claims the victim's SIN was found in a national fraud investigation. They transfer the call to a second 'officer' claiming to be from the RCMP, who confirms the warrant and demands immediate payment in prepaid Visa cards or Bitcoin to cancel it.
This relay technique — transferring to a second 'official' — is used to reinforce credibility and maintain pressure on the victim. Some calls last hours, with the victim guided to stores to purchase prepaid cards while kept on the line.
Text variants: 'Service Canada: Your SIN has been linked to fraud. A police referral has been made. To resolve before arrest: [link].'
Common red flags
- Caller claims Service Canada has referred your SIN to the RCMP for arrest
- Call transfers to a second 'RCMP officer' who demands immediate payment
- Payment requested in prepaid Visa cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfer
- Caller insists you must not hang up or consult anyone
- Urgency: 'RCMP officers dispatched within 2 hours'
- No prior written notice from Service Canada or RCMP
- Caller cannot provide a verifiable RCMP case number from the RCMP's public directory
How to protect yourself
- Hang up immediately — legitimate RCMP investigations do not begin with a phone demand for gift cards
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218 and the RCMP non-emergency line to verify
- Know that SINs cannot be 'linked to a warrant' via a phone call in this way
- Never purchase prepaid cards or send cryptocurrency in response to a government call
- Alert elderly or vulnerable family members who may be targeted
How to report it
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- Report RCMP impersonation to the RCMP at rcmp-grc.gc.ca
- File a police report with your local RCMP detachment or municipal police
- Forward smishing texts to 7726
- If money was paid, contact your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
Does Service Canada work with the RCMP to arrest people for SIN fraud?
Real fraud investigations involving the RCMP follow formal legal processes and do not begin with a cold call. No legitimate officer demands gift card payment to cancel an arrest warrant.
How can I verify whether the RCMP is genuinely looking for me?
Contact your local RCMP detachment or municipal police directly using a number from an official directory. Do not use any number provided by the caller.