Four National Capital area residents are among eight people charged in an alleged cyber-enabled fraud targeting benefits for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation began in August 2020 following a “cyber attack” on the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online portal targeting the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program.
In a media release, police described the attack as a “sophisticated fraud scheme (to) steal personal identities, unlawfully access CRA accounts, and fraudulently claim CERB benefits.” the RCMP said in a media release on Wednesday.
“Investigators determined that suspects gained unauthorized access to taxpayer accounts, altered banking information, and redirected CERB payments into accounts under their control.”
The fraudulent claims totaled approximately $364,000, the release said.
Four residents from Montreal, three Gatineau residents and an Ottawa man are facing charges. Seven of the suspects are charged with fraud over $5,000.
They are scheduled to appear in court in Montreal on July 7.
