New phone scam targets Niagara residents with fake Crown Attorney claims 

February 11,2026

RED FM News Desk

Niagara Regional Police are warning residents about a fraud scam involving callers who pose as representatives of the local Crown Attorney’s Office. The phone number displayed may appear legitimate, and scammers may use the names of real Crown Attorneys or claim to be connected to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, identifying themselves as “Officer Shawn Diaz.” 

In the scam, individuals are falsely told they are victims of identity theft and are instructed to deposit cash into “government-approved ATM machines” or drop boxes. Police say these machines are actually unregulated Bitcoin ATMs, and once money is deposited, it is extremely difficult to recover. 

Police stress that neither the Crown Attorney’s Office nor the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre will ever contact individuals to request payment. 

Residents are urged to be cautious with unsolicited calls, texts, or emails and to verify any claims by contacting organizations directly using trusted contact information. 

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud should call Niagara Regional Police at 905-688-4111, option 1, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.