Hi, I received a call from a tax department saying that I may have committed a tax fraud and are after me and if I don't call them back, they would come after me and get me for any reason. I mean, I don't remember doing anything in a while. So... yeah, let's give them a call and see what's going on (Ringtone) Investigation Division of Canada Revenue Agency, how can I help you? Hi, I just received a call from your department about something. I don't know what it is about can you explain? Hello? (Busy tone) Department just hung up on me. Investigation Division of Revenue Canada, how can I help you? Hi, I just called it seems it got disconnected. I received a call from you regarding a tax fraud or something. I was going to ask what? Do you remember the name of the officer whom you were talking to earlier? No, it was just disconnected. So had he read out the affidavit for you? Did he read out the affidavit for you? Uh no. Okay So now, uh, Mister, you are not telling me the name of the officer so how come I would be able to... you know? They just left me a message on my phone and I don't think-- Ok, it's the- it's the message. Okay, you have not talked to anyone. So Mister, well, I need to know your name then only I can pull up your file and see who called you up. Okay, my name is Matthew Jackson. Okay Mr. Jackson, your file is in front of me Now just to make sure that I'm sharing out the confidential details to the right person-- Ya, can you verify me with your home address? The home address is, 1029 1145 Granville Street. Anville Street, and what about your postal code? Mehdi: The postal code is
Caller: No! a-- Uh-huh? Is V4Z 8Z8 Okay, Mr. Jackson just give me a moment over here. Let me verify it. Okay. Well, Mr. Jackson, you have given me the wrong postal code, can you give me the right postal code? Uhh... I don't have it handy with me I have to go through my like.. latest mails and check it, but-- Caller: You can go through right now. Take your time, I'm here. Okay, just a second Yeah, yeah. Oh, well. I gave her the wrong information and now she wants to know the real information. Hello there? Jackson, I'm here Yeah hi, sorry I gave you the postal code of my previous address. The new one is... Hello? Mr Jackson? I'm sorry, it was V6Z Okay 1M1 Okay just give me a moment Mr. Jackson, let me verify it. The verification process is done. Well, uh, Mr Jackson the reason behind this call is that we have done a random audit on your tax filings of the last few years and we have found that there were several miscalculations in your tax filings. Because of this, the CRA is filing a case under your name. Do you have a lawyer, who can represent you in the court for this case? No, I don't I don't think I have done any miscalculations. I don't know what you found on the files, can you explain? Caller: Yes, I can explain Mr. Jackson. There is a difference between your figures The income that you have told me and the taxes which you have filed and now the thing is that Mr. Jackson do you even realize that the local RCMP is having an arrest warrant under your name? No, but why? I've never received any mail that I have done anything wrong. Mr. Jackson let me tell you from last three days we have tried to sending a hand-to-hand letter at your doorstep, but because no one was there at your doorstep it's returned back to us. Now this is not our mistake, we have told you earlier but because no one was there at your residence, it's your fault. So, Mr Jackson-- But that's impossible. I work from home and I haven't done anything in a long while I-- Okay, Okay, Okay, Okay. Mr. Jackson? Okay, who files the taxes? Is it done by yourself or you have hired an accountant for this? No, I do it myself, but I do it accurately. Okay, you do it accurately. But, Mr. Jackson. Let me tell you, this is Canada Revenue Agency. You cannot say like this we have not done anything correct. So, if you want me to go ahead I will go ahead with you and tell you and read out the affadavit from which you can consider everything about this case. Do you want me to do that? Sure, go ahead. My name is Officer Ellie Cooper and my badge number is 'Elle' and my badge number is 417. So, Mr. Jackson. Now before I proceed further, I would like to notify you that these lines are recorded and monitored by municipal courthouse, the local RCMP department, the Immigration Department and the Canadian Revenue Services. So please, do not interrupt me while I'm reading out the affidavit. I will answer all your questions once I'm done with it. Shall I proceed further? Yes, go ahead Yeah, okay. According to the federal registration section 38 column 79 there are four allegations pressed on your name, Mr. Jackson. Count one: violation of the CRA Act 1956. the audit department has got strong evidence that this was not an innocent act or this was willful action with intent to defraud CRA. CRA has decided to forcefully recover the taxes by taking following steps. Step 1: Tax lien The federal tax lien is the legal claim to your property including property that you acquire after the lien arises. Step 2: Tax evasion This is a felony and a conviction can carry a prison sentence of up to 5 years and a fine up to
$100,000. CRA will monitor all the credit reporting agencies and all the government organizations regarding the tax fraud. Your employer will be contacted and they will be garnishing your wages if you have any. And if you have any social insurance benefits, it will have a straight term under Section 91 a With this I have briefed you about this case. Are you still with me, Mr. Jackson? Yeah. Okay. Well right now, the amount outstanding under your name is $6998. But once this case goes to court, the total charges you will be paying around $97,711 including penalty charges and case charges. And you will be arrested for coming five years. Now before I sign off the legal papers against you and get you arrested, what are doubts or questions do you have in your mind? Before asking them, I just want to know one thing that why have you done such a thing? Is it a mistake, according to you? Or you have done it intentionally to defraud the Canadian government? No, no, it must be a mistake somewhere I'm sure I've done everything wrong. I mean I very well cover my footsteps. I mean not that I've done anything wrong, but I make sure my files are cleaned. Right now, mhmm, mhmm. Mr. Jackson, well right now in this case you have two options in front of you. Option one is that you can fight this case legally with the Revenue Canada. But if you lose this case you will have to pay around $97,000 as I told you earlier. And you will be getting -- you know -- you'll be getting arrested for coming five years. And option second is that... I cannot commit you for this option. I can talk to the local RCMP and see if at all they can allow you take care of this situation out of the court by submitting the outstanding balance which is $6998. But I cannot commit you for this. I need to talk to the local RCMP first. So what do you wish to do? Do you wish to fight this case with the Revenue Canada? Or you wish to talk to the local RCMP and resolve this matter? Uh, I think I should talk to the local RCMP and get more details and see what they have found on my files. Maybe it's just a simple mistake they did! Sure, sure. But, Mr. Jackson, let me tell you, let me get -- get your statistics here that someone defeated the Revenue Canada was in 1998 That was almost 19 years back. As I told you, the moment you will lose this case, you will have to submit your $97,000. So this case is clear that we have not any kind of misunderstanding. So. What I need you to do is that you need to give me the local RCMP number of your area. I'll be dialing this number and I'll be requesting them to -- you know at least cancel your arrest warrant at least now. Okay? Mehdi: Okay
Ellie: I'll be calling them right now and be requesting them to cancel your arrest warrant. As I have seen your past records there is nothing like that. Just for this issue. Mhmm. It's 604. Just a moment. Yeah, okay, just give me a moment over here. Let me verify this number. I think I read it wrong. Can I do it again? Yes sure you can, tell me the number. 604 717 3321 That is yes, of course, it's Vancouver Police Department, of course. Now, Mr. Jackson, I'll be dialing this number and I'll be here. (Ellie pretending to speak to someone on the phone) Hello, my name is Officer Ellie Cooper from Canada Revenue Agency. Can I know with whom I'm talking to? Hello Officer Shaw, how are you doing today? Yes. I'm fine, thank you Well sir, if you can check if there's an arrest for Mr Jackson. For Matthew Jackson. Yes, yes. His arrest warrant ID is 419JR11. Well, well, Mr. Shaw, he's online with me. I've had a word with him. He says it's a mistake and he needs to take care of this situation right now. Yeah, yes. But I -- But I feel -- I feel he is innocent. Yes. I know I know Mr. Shaw. I agree there is a warrant already out, but I feel he's innocent. Sure, if you want to call him on this number -- yeah, yeah his cellphone number is 604 -- thank you, thank you. Have a good day. Ellie: Mr. Jackson, are you there?
Mehdi: Yeah, I'm here. Yeah, Mr. Jackson? I had a word with our RCMP officer they are not ready to give it a resolution option, but he said that he will be giving you a call on your cell phone number right now, okay? Should we hang up? Because it's the same phone I'm calling from. No no no, Mr Jackson. Don't worry. Like which phone you are using right now? The same phone that you have the phone number. No no, which -- like is it a smartphone? Android? No, it's the home landline. It's a landline?! Oh my god! How do you think giving you a call? Give me your -- like -- cellphone number. If you can give me your cellphone number? No, it's okay, I -- I don't think I need to talk to the RCMP. I think I understand what this is about now. Mr. Jackson, the thing is that, he has told me that he wants to have a word with you then only can he decide that if you are
-- you know -- eligible to have a -- you know -- resolvement option or not. Just had a word with them, just tell your situation to them, then only we can decide anything. Don't worry. Yeah, I don't want to give my cell phone number though. Can they just call to this number and then I call you back Okay, okay. You can hang up the call. I will be-- they will be giving you a call on this landline. Don't worry. Okay? Okay, thank you. They are on my tail, let's see if the RCMP officer will call me back. Hopefully we can resolve this somehow. I don't want to go to jail, but I don't want to pay $6000 too. Hello? Hi this is Officer (officer's name) from the RCMP Division. Yes? Talking to Jolly right now? We have received a call from the Canada Revenue Agency and they're stating that they have filed a case under your name. Are you at your home right now? Yeah Um, can I send my team right now over there so that we can take you into the custody? Oh, I wanted to see what it is about I don't want to just go to jail for some mistake that probably those guys made. All right, we have received a call from the Canada Revenue Agency and they are stating you want to take care of the situation is that correct? Yes, I -- well I mean -- first of all I think it's a mistake I try to do everything right and cover my footsteps not that I've done anything wrong again, but I'm sure there must be a mistake somewhere. Well I want you to give me one good reason that why should I allow you to take care of the case. Because I'm sure they made a mistake. I always review my files multiple times and I don't make mistakes! All right, just stay on the line. Let me check your past records and see if we can allow you to resolve the case or not. Okay? All right, Matthew, I can see over here that you are an innocent person and you do not have any criminal records in the past. All right. Now, I can see that I'm giving you 45 minutes as the arrest warrant is already signed up to resolve the past. Now as you are innocent person, I would suggest you not to make any payment using your debit card, credit card, or check. If you do so then your name will be in the case. It will create a red mark in your future tax payment. Okay. I can suggest you a payment method, please write it down. Okay? Sure. It is BIT machine - Bureau Income Tax machine, okay? Okay. It's a unique ATM where you need to take cash in and deposit the cash in the ATM and your transaction will be done without creating any negative marks on your name. One more thing before I hang up, I have given you a resolvement option only because you are an innocent person. If at all I get a call from that officer from the Canada Revenue Agency telling me that you are not co-operating, let me inform you I won't be giving you a second chance at all. But -- but is there any chance to like review the files and see if there's a mistake? Definitely, you can review the case, all right? But I can't do it in 48 -- uh, 48 hours you said, can we? Now, listen to me, okay? Just talk to that officer there you have the correct person to guide you. I have given your resolvement option only because you are innocent. We have 45 minutes which we have given to you. All right? Now, once you get a call from that officer, just talk to her and try to resolve the case as soon as possible. I wish you best of luck, okay? Okay, thank you. I guess they'll call me back again. (mispronounced) Bureau -- bureau? Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? Mehdi: Hello? Yeah?
Ellie: --Jackson, are you there? Yes! Okay. Okay, did you had a word with your accountant? With the RCMP officer? Yes, I did Okay okay, what else did they said? They gave me a... BIT machine that -- like -- I have to go deposit money into? But there is no number -- account number or anything. I don't-- Mr. Jackson, right now, the payment options are closed. This is not possible. So, but Mr. Jackson, can you give me your cellphone number? No... this number you have is fine. I don't want to provide my cellphone number. So that I can call on your cellphone number and it will be easier for me and for you. Right? Can you give me your cellphone number? Uh, no. I don't want to. You don't want to?! Okay, Mr. Jackson, that means you're not co-operating with us. So then I will call the RCMP officer that -- if he is not interested in the talk So how can I-- how will I be able give you the resolvement option if you are not co-operating with us? No I... just you just want -- I just have to pay the money right? To resolve this. Why do you need my cell phone number? I just wanna-- No. No money is-- do you have cellphone or not? I have a cellphone, but I use it for work I don't want to share it with anyone. You don't want to share it with anyone?! That means you're not co-operating with us. That means we are not ready to give you the resolvement option. I'm so sorry for that. Because the information Mr. RCMP officer has given you the permission to resolve the case and right now you are making excuses like you cannot give me the cellphone number. (Angrily) Is it a way or what? We are here to help you out and you are playing me like this. Then it's confidential and... What do you want to do with the cellphone number though? I mean we are already talking to each other. What do you want my cell phone number? Mr. Jackson, for resolvement options, for resolving this case, you need to have a good smartphone. I need to have your cellphone number. That is the reason. Because we cannot resolve the case with the landline. But landline is more secure than the cell phone number. It's like it's always available. --Jackson, you are telling you about security. You can record the lines and you can take it to the RCMP and go and talk to the RCMP officer. Let me tell you, because of this conversation, your 48 minutes is going on. You are wasting your time. And after this, you will not be getting any time anymore. Can't I just pay the money and get it over with?! Mr. Jackson, how will you pay the money with landline? It's impossible. I can't pay with my cell phone either right? I may have to go online and pay or give you my credit card or something. Okay, can you tell me the payment method which the RCMP officer has given to you? They told me BIT machine BIT machine. And you know what? In BIT machine, you need a cellphone. Without cellphone, you cannot make resolvement. Is it like an app that I have to install on my phone? No, it's not an app. It's just that you need... you have a QR code, at your WhatsApp or your... you know? And for any conversation, then you will have to scan that and something procedure is like that. I don't know deep inside that as I'm a junior officer. But, If you can tell me your number, I can go further with that. With a landline, you cannot go outside your home with a landline. Okay, fine. Here is my cell phone number. Are you ready? Yeah. Yes, I'm here. 604 Ehem... Err Oops! I hung up. (Ringtone) There, she's back. Hello? Jackson, why did you hang up the call? Sorry, it's just disconnected I think. Okay, Mr.Jackson please co-operate with us. Because these are recorded line. Yeah. Go ahead. So, it's 604? No, sorry, err. I was lying to you. I know you are scammers. I was just having fun with you, so don't worry about it. You don't need to follow up (Busy tone) She just hung up as soon as I said they're scammers. Can you believe that? Who Mr.Jackson was going to be scammed by these idiots? So yeah, be careful people! Never provide your information on the phone to any government official that you're not sure if they are actually government officials. No credit card numbers, nothing. They must send a letter to your address and confirm everything. They can't just send you to jail based on some mumbo-jumbo accusation So, unless it's in a writing in a letter, it's not true. And verify all the contact information in the letter online first because that letter might be a scam too. And in general, be careful. You don't want to give your personal information to anyone. If they are contacting you because you have done something wrong, they already know all your information. They know you're not Mr. Matthew Jackson from Granville Street. So if they take the false information you are providing to them without any complaints, it means that they're obviously fake. Matthew Jackson.
Amazing how much effort these people put into their scams. I would love to see a documentary about these call centers.
Nice job playing along, Mehdi.
Since they claim to be CRA it's always fun to demand service en francais. That usually gets them pretty angry before they hang up.
I find this surreal. I have never heard of anything like this here where I live. What happens now in this cases? can you provide their phone to the police?
Did anyone else notice the amount of talking going on in the background? That call center must be enormous. That's absolutely frightening. All those people being scammed...
You have to listen to these guys who talked to similar scammers and actually got a guy to open up and talk about his life and it’s pretty sad
https://youtu.be/QltEK0RuDag
If you can get a web address, then you can perform a reverse DNS and see who is listed with the service and then report them to that abuse number listed unless the whole server is full of scammers and then it would no good.
Me and my workers got an email from these guys claiming they were from the CRA, I was surprised it went through the email filter we have considering it looked very scammy. Over the month I've been seeing more and more people talk about it, some get phone calls and some get emails. I wonder how they got all of those emails for Canadian residents
The social engineering is actually pretty clever here. They ask you to give them a real RCMP number to try and trick people into thinking they're actually involving the RCMP.
However since they're impersonating CRA and RCMP officers which I'm pretty sure is illegal, and I would have personally conference called the actual RCMP in the hopes they could somehow trace the call.
Hey, sounds like the same lady from this video, which is a little over a year old.