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

This week, we are switching things up! We are discussing the Queen of Canada, her group, and her arrest. Scams come in different forms, even cults.    Sources:   https://globalnews.ca/news/11403316/queen-of-canada-freed-bail/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/queen-of-canada-richmound-school-ndp-review-1.7629335 https://www.ctvnews.ca/regina/video/2025/09/10/sask-ndp-calling-for-queen-of-canada-govt-response/ https://globalnews.ca/news/11403316/queen-of-canada-freed-bail/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/village-residents-divided-as-queen-of-canada-cult-remains-in-richmound-sask-1.7238282 https://globalnews.ca/news/11391128/saskatchewan-rcmp-richmound-investigation/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romana_Didulo

This week, we will discuss AI chatbots and how people are falling in love with them. Then, we dive into how they can be used for scams and how to protect yourself when dating online.  Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!   Sources:  https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/she-looked-like-kendall-jenner-whispered-sweet-nothings-and-lured-a-new-jersey-retiree-to-his-death/ar-AA1KDHtM?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=68a0a7e8d35344d9af4f5ef221cd9488&ei=9 https://www.ussfcu.org/media-center/security-corner/blog-detail-security-corner.html?cId=96630&title=ai-powered-romance-scams-how-to-spot-and-avoid-them  

This week, we learn all about smishing. Listen to hear what messages we get all the time and what to look out for!    Sources:  https://globalnews.ca/news/11331071/scam-text-messages-canada-smishing/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-08-12-got-a-scam-text https://www.aura.com/learn/can-you-get-hacked-by-responding-to-a-text-message#:~:text=Don't%20Panic!-,No%2C%20you%20can't%20get%20hacked%20by%20responding%20to%20a,be%20much%20harder%20to%20evade.

This week, we discuss heavy topics such as suicide. Please reach out to the National Suicide Help Line at 988 or online at 988lifeline.org for messaging if you are experiencing any problems. Kids Help Phone is also available for minors at 1-800 – 668 – 6868 or text 686868   We are discussing sextortion and how it has taken the lives of many young boys. Listen for information on how to handle these situations.  Sources:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/25/teenage-boys-mental-health-suicide-sextortion-scams/78258882007/ https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline#bythenumbers

This week, we are talking about buying houses and how AI can be used to scam you out of your own house!    Sources: https://fct.ca/inside-fct/fct-in-the-news-ai-is-driving-a-new-wave-of-real-estate-fraud#:~:text=The%20article%20highlights%20key%20findings,create%20highly%20convincing%20fake%20documents  https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-housing-market-artificial-intelligence-ai-scams  https://realestatemagazine.ca/ai-is-driving-a-new-wave-of-real-estate-fraud-report/  https://globalnews.ca/news/9437913/homeowner-impersonators-lined-32-fraud-cases-ontario-bc/ 

This week, we tell two stories of people being scammed into booking travel, then talk about personal experiences and give recommendations for safe travel.   Sources:  https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/nearly-one-third-of-canadians-have-fallen-victim-to-travel-scams-survey/ https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/i-felt-like-crying-ontario-family-loses-17500-to-online-flight-ticket-scam/ https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ontario-family-forced-to-pay-nearly-24k-out-of-pocket-after-ticket-broker-ghosts-them-overseas/ https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/07/31/bbb-bc-warns-against-travel-scam/ https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/07/06/bc-ferries-scams-warning/ https://vancouversun.com/travel/5-tips-avoid-vacation-scams  

This week, we discuss Government impostor scams. Listen to learn about tarriff scams, the AI Mark Carney scam, and how to stay safe!    Sources:    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/services-policies-for-government/information-management-technology/information-security/information-security-awareness/avoid_telephone_scams_infosheet.pdf https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/beware-of-fraudulent-calls-impersonating-rcmp-opp-and-canadian-anti-fraud-centre/ https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2025/07/23/scam-tariffs-immigration-drug-trafficking/85307398007/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/more-fake-cbc-ads-investigation-1.7494923

This week, we discuss POS terminals and how people can use those and card skimmers to scam you.    Sources:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/beach-bia-warns-point-of-sale-scam-thousands-stolen-1.7583825 https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2025/07/03/it-was-a-shock-toronto-business-owner-says-customer-used-point-of-sale-terminal-to-issue-himself-2000-refund/ https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/skimming https://www.volantesystems.com/blog/pos-theft-10-immediate-actions-to-protect-your-business/

This week, we discuss SIM swapping and how to protect yourself.  Don't forget to leave a 5-star rating!  Sources:  https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/b-c-woman-lost-over-500k-in-bitcoin-in-2021-sim-swap-fraud-scheme-lawsuit-alleges/ar-AA1I7cGo?ocid=msedgdhphdr&cvid=f43fbdc7b0aa45a2cd807334e964f3a3&ei=11 https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/bc-woman-claims-bitcoin-now-worth-more-than-18m-stolen-in-sim-swap-scam-8110242 https://www.ctia.org/protecting-against-sim-swap-fraud https://securityscorecard.com/blog/sim-card-hacking-what-it-is-how-it-works-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

This week, we discuss romance scams. Listen to learn about two cases in which women lost their money and, finally, a case in which a scammer was caught.  Sources:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-romance-fraudster-declared-a-dangerous-offender-locked-up-indefinitely-1.7574949  https://globalnews.ca/news/11217545/alberta-romance-scam-td-bank/ https://abc7ny.com/post/7-side-woman-loses-1m-romance-scam-she-shares-red-flags-missed/15876494/