Big fraud cases nearly doubled in five years across Alberta
RCMP data shows high-value fraud jumped from 744 cases in 2022 to 1,471 in 2026, with extortion emerging as a growing threat.
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Big fraud — cases over $5,000 — has rocketed across Alberta, nearly doubling from 744 cases in 2022 to 1,471 in 2026, according to RCMP statistics.
"Big fraud is up. They're going for the big fish," said Fraser Logan, senior spokesman for Alberta RCMP. "All police jurisdictions are dealing with this right now."
Overall fraud reports have climbed steadily over five years, from 4,677 in 2022 to 6,058 in 2025, with similar numbers in 2026. Logan suspects extortion — often targeting members of the South Asian community with threats, arson, and gun violence — is a major driver. National extortion cases have been linked to crime rings based in South Asia, mostly originating in India.
Last week, Calgary police charged 16 South Asians who were not Canadian citizens with extortion and other crimes. "These criminal activities have understandably led to concern from families and business owners," Calgary Police Service said in a statement.
Some individual cases have involved millions in losses. In October, Marc St. Pierre was sentenced to seven years in prison in Red Deer court for embezzling nearly $5 million from 16 victims while serving as a senior financial advisor. In May, the RCMP Provincial Financial Crime Team arrested four individuals for fraud and money laundering offences involving forged documentation used to open suspicious bank accounts across Alberta, from Strathmore to Fort Saskatchewan.
Extortion or fraud should be reported to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
