Calgary police issue warning about a huge increase in cybercrime – Calgary [Video]

Calgary police say reports of cybercrimes were up by more than 50 per cent last year compared to 2023.

“So, the trends that we see are mostly investment scams, romance scams, some impersonation scams, which can be financial institutions calling to tell you that you owe them money or even like grandparent scams,” said Acting Sgt. Jeanie Gilmore of the CPS cyber crimes unit.

“We also are seeing quite a few employment scams, so people are applying for jobs that where they’ve seen a posting on the internet and then somewhere in that they’re asked to contribute money in order to get paid for whatever service they’re providing,” added Gilmore.

According to data presented at the Calgary Police Commission meeting on Wednesday, there were 43 ransomware attacks last year — including one targeted at the Calgary Public Library that forced branches across the city to temporarily closed.  That compares to 28 ransomware attacks in 2023.

But …