Law enforcement agencies in North Simcoe, including the Financial Crime Services of the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch and the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), are working together with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) to educate residents about the various telephone and online scams that they may encounter.
Recently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)’s National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3), the CAFC, and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) announced enforcement actions against Canadian users of LabHost, a platform that facilitated widespread phishing and cyber scams in Canada and around the world. This operation, named Project NOVA, involved executing search warrants and conducting enforcement actions against suspected offenders, resulting in fines, warning letters, and in-person engagements.
Evidence from the operation revealed that close to one million Canadians had their personal information, including sensitive banking credentials, stolen and trafficked by criminal users of LabHost. The platform, prior to being disabled by law enforcement, was a major phishing-as-a-service provider that targeted Canadians with fraudulent schemes impersonating over 75 organizations, including major banks and government institutions.
Project NOVA, which was part of an international effort to disrupt criminal activity linked to LabHost, marked the first action led by the RCMP’s NC3 against LabHost users in Canada. The NC3 collaborated with organizations that were impersonated to trace the impact of phishing attacks and collect crucial evidence during the operation.
If you have fallen victim to a scam, it is important to contact your local police immediately and report the incident to the CAFC using their Online Reporting System or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Investigations regarding this matter are ongoing.
This enforcement action against LabHost users is part of a larger effort to combat cybercrime and protect Canadians from falling prey to fraudulent schemes. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and international partners highlights the importance of combating online scams and safeguarding personal information in today’s digital age.
For more information on Project NOVA and the enforcement actions taken against LabHost users, please visit the RCMP’s official website. Stay informed and vigilant to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to cyber scams.