Scams 360

It's the holiday season, which means people are in a giving mood. Listen to this week's episode to know how to make sure the money you donate is actually going to a good cause! 
 
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @BCSI.Investigations
 
Sources: 
https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/fraud-and-scams/tips-and-advice/charity-scams
https://westvanpolice.ca/charity-scams/
https://www.reddit.com/r/nonprofit/comments/1d5qo4x/donation_scam_beware/
https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/protect-yourself/consumer-alerts/scams/how-to-spot-fake-gofundme-accounts
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/06/gofundme-fundraiser-scam-grieving-community/83472880007/
https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/fake-gofundme-scams/           
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/beware-of-phony-fundraisers-on-gofundme/

This week, Denis returns to discuss which holiday scams you should look out for this winter! 
 
Check us out on Instagram/Facebook: @bcsi.investigations
If you require a private investigator, visit our website: picanada.ca
 
Sources: 
https://www.wkyt.com/2025/11/26/better-business-bureau-warns-shoppers-holiday-scams/
https://rollingout.com/2025/11/26/amazon-warns-of-dangerous-holiday-scams/
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/maryland-ag-holiday-scams-tips-safe-shopping-giving
https://mercercountyoutlook.net/2025/11/26/fbi-cleveland-warns-of-holiday-scams-during-the-shopping-season-3/
https://ksltv.com/ksl-investigates/get-gephardt/holiday-scams/850451/
https://lionsgate.network/the-12-scams-of-christmas-your-essential-guide-to-protecting-your-crypto-this-holiday-season/
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/holiday-scams

This week is a solo episode. Kylie is discussing all things data poisoning from what it is to how to spot and avoid it! 
Check us out online: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcsi.investigations/ 
 
Sources: 
https://cypfer.com/inside-ai-data-poisoning-how-attackers-manipulate-machine-learning/
https://www.sentinelone.com/cybersecurity-101/cybersecurity/data-poisoning/
https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/cybersecurity-101/cyberattacks/data-poisoning/  
https://www.lasso.security/blog/data-poisoning

This week, we have a special guest, Yuli, to discuss NFTs and the risks associated with buying them. 
 
Sources: 
https://www.fraud.com/post/nft-scams-a-real-life-story
https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/lifestyle/art-plus-design/most-expensive-nft-artworks-ever-sold/
https://www.endlessdomains.io/blog/posts/hard-wallets-vs-soft-wallets

This week, we discuss subscription traps and the ones that we have been stuck in. Remember to rate and review!
Check us out online at @BCSI.Investigations or on our website, picanada.ca, if you have been affected by a scam or need a private investigation.
 
Sources: 
https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/fraud-and-scams/tips-and-advice/subscription-traps
https://www.canada.ca/en/competition-bureau/news/2020/03/subscription-traps-no-strings-attached-trial-offers-could-leave-you-with-your-hands-tied.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07nlvmyl05o
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/learning/the-great-subscription-trap.html
https://www.nbc26.com/news/local-news/subscription-trap-are-you-wasting-hundreds-on-services-you-forgot

This week, we discuss smart home systems and how they can be vulnerable to hacking. Listen to learn the signs that you've been hacked and how to protect yourself. 
If you enjoyed Scams 360, please leave five stars and a review :)
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/hacker-breaks-into-smart-home-google-nest-devices-terrorizes-couple-2019-9#:~:text=Millions%20of%20users%20have%20signed,Google
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-home-speakers-allowed-hackers-to-snoop-on-conversations/
https://www.datapacific.com/9-signs-that-your-smart-home-device-has-been-hacked/ 

This week, we discuss the seizure of $15 billion worth of Bitcoin and someone being scammed out of $230 million. Crypto scams are becoming more prevalent every day, so listen to find out how to protect yourself! 
 
Sources: 
https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-crime/billions-bitcoin-seized-doj-massive-pig-butchering-crypto-scam-cambodia
https://www.foxnews.com/us/dea-fbi-seize-10-million-cryptocurrency-directly-linked-sinaloa-cartel
https://markets.financialcontent.com/wral/article/breakingcrypto-2025-10-15-federal-authorities-seize-staggering-15-billion-in-bitcoin-unmasking-global-pig-butchering-crypto-scam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr-LPmg9oxQ
https://www.secretservice.gov/investigations/investmentfraud-pigbutchering
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/crypto-atms-profit-as-scammers-run-wild/ar-AA1Osz14?ocid=BingNewsSerp
https://boingboing.net/2024/10/22/man-loses-230m-crypto-fortune-after-falling-for-scammers-plot.html

This week, we discuss Facebook Marketplace and the common scams that occur when selling or buying on there. 
 
Sources: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1iatqqu/new_facebook_marketplace_scam/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/how-could-this-happen-to-me-fraud-victims-left-reeling-as-scams-cost-canadians-638m/
https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceCanada/comments/1g8xvnv/warning_lost_2000_to_a_td_bank_transfer_scam_when/
https://www.facebook.com/help/1156544111079919/
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/advice/day-to-day-banking/services/etransfer-fraud

This week, we discuss how ticket scams affect Canadians. After the number of scams the Eras Tour brought out, we wanted to prepare our listeners for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Listen to us discuss our own encounters with scammers and resellers and how to identify and avoid ticket scams. 
 
Sources: 
https://www.ticketleap.com/blog/how-to-avoid-ticket-scams/
https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/coldplay-concert-ticket-scam-facebook-b2633601.html

This week, we dive deep into Charles Ponzi's life and how the Ponzi schemes were invented. We discussed a new Ponzi Scheme that happened in Alberta and BC. 
 
Sources:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp
https://globalnews.ca/news/9929191/edmonton-kelowna-ponzi-scheme-charges/
https://www.squamishchief.com/highlights/alleged-bc-ponzi-scheme-fraudster-identified-as-drowning-victim-9168281
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ponzi-scheme-charges-stayed-against-183916036.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi
https://marriott.byu.edu/magazine/faculty-research/how-to-spot-a-ponzi
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/fraud-data-breaches.html