Fraud Prevention Month: Romance scams can lead to broken hearts

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31, 2026.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

As Fraud Prevention Month comes to the end, the Medicine Hat Police Service has released one last public service announcement warning residents on common romance and relationship scams.

Police say romance scams involve fraudsters who meet people online and attempt to build a trusting relationship over an extended period of time.

Once trust has been built with the victim, the fraudster will then ask for money often to help during an emergency situation, travel emergency or urgent bills that require payment.

To ensure a speedy translation of funds, fraudsters will ask for money transfer, gift cards and money sent through a cryptocurrency.

In these situations police say it’s important to pause and verify any stories before sending money as scammers use high-pressure situations that require immediate transactions.

“Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you’ve only met online,” reads the PSA. “Verify ’emergencies’ by calling back using a number you already know. Don’t share personal info, banking details, passwords or one-time codes.”

Police encourage residents to always talk to someone you trust before sending money or providing information, especially if you are unsure.

Another common scam includes extortion threats from fraudsters or individuals to release private or sensitive information unless you pay a ransom.

Police say the best course of action is to report the threats, stop all communication and save all messages for evidence.

If you think you’ve been targeted or have already sent money, the MHPS encourages you to report the incident to its non-emergency phone number at 403-529-8481.

Police have also once again put the spotlight on the notorious “Grandparent Scam” used by those who typically pose as a relative who is a potential victim of an accident, or are in trouble, and request funds be sent to them immediately.

Last year, Hatters lost more than $4 million to fraud-related scams through local and global fraud-related crimes, up from more than $2.2 million lost in 2024.

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