FRAUDS AND SCAMS: CARP DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR SENIORS

Posted on by Anthony Quinn

April 1, 2025

CARP’s Demands

The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) demands an end to the systemic neglect that deems seniors acceptable casualties in Canada’s rampant fraud crisis—a crime wave fueling drug trafficking, human smuggling, and money laundering.

Ahead of the federal election, CARP has elevated frauds and scams against seniors to one of its top five priorities, insisting on:

  • Increased Resources for fraud investigation and recovery of lost funds—stop abandoning seniors to billion-dollar losses.

  • Stronger Penalties for financial crimes targeting seniors—deter fraudsters with real jail time, not leniency.

  • Bank Accountability—force banks to enhance fraud detection and protect clients, not just profits. Seniors are not collateral damage.

CARP rejects Canada’s passive stance and demands justice now.

Introduction

Frauds and scams are a relentless assault on older Canadians, with reported losses hitting $638 million in 2024 alone—a figure dwarfed by the billions likely stolen and unreported. Seniors, targeted for their perceived vulnerabilities, are treated as expendable by a system that shrugs at their plight, allowing criminals to flourish.

CARP asserts this aversion to pursuing justice for senior victims is rooted in ageism.

Canada’s decade-long reliance on education over enforcement has failed, leaving fraudsters free to prey with impunity.

During this election, CARP is mobilizing to force change—because seniors’ losses matter.

The Issue: Seniors as Acceptable Casualties

Only 5–10% of fraud incidents are reported, according to studies from McMaster University and Statistics Canada, suggesting total 2024 losses could range from $6.38 billion (at 10%) to $12.76 billion (at 5%). Even the low end—$6.38 billion—is a colossal theft, yet Canada sits idle, treating seniors as acceptable losses.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), established in 1993 and jointly operated by the Ontario Provincial Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the federal Competition Bureau, gathers fraud intelligence and complaints. However, the CAFC:

  • Tracks data but cannot recover funds

  • Cannot direct banks or police to investigate

  • Cannot take enforcement action

In 2024, the CAFC logged 49,432 fraud cases, with losses rising from $578 million in 2023 to $638 million. Seniors aged 60+ accounted for 17,000 cases and $137.9 million in losses—savings they cannot replace.

CARP’s 2025 member survey reveals:

  • 86% of seniors have been targeted

  • 14% were victimized

  • Nearly 70% of victims recovered little or nothing

Compare this to other financial crimes:

  • Rob a bank or defraud a credit card company of just $1,000 and the police will pounce.

  • Defraud a senior of their lifetime savings—$700,000—and it’s dismissed as an “educational moment” with no redress for the victim.

The 2023 Pearson Airport gold heist saw $20 million stolen—and Peel Police spent over $10 million on a global investigation, reaching as far as India and the Middle East. Meanwhile, annual senior fraud losses topping $1 billion receive scant resources.

This isn’t inability—it’s ageism and a lack of will.

This double standard is elder abuse by neglect. CARP demands Canada prioritize seniors’ losses—fund investigations, recover funds, and punish fraudsters.

Why It Matters

Under Canada’s Criminal Code, theft under $5,000 is a hybrid offence, typically prosecuted in provincial courts with a maximum sentence of 2 years less a day. Theft over $5,000 is indictable, carrying up to 7 years in prison, or up to 14 years if classified as fraud—yet these are rarely pursued with rigour.

Fraudsters exploit this $5,000 threshold, often committing “small” thefts to face lesser consequences if caught—a pattern reflected in the low-profile cases that rarely make news or result in recovery.

CARP demands tougher punishments and real deterrents across all fraud, or the financial carnage will only worsen.

Ontario’s fraud reports have soared over the last decade, yet in 2021 only 13% of cases saw police action, and half were dropped. Convictions remain rare nationwide.

Current Status: Common Types of Fraud Affecting Seniors

  • Identity theft & financial fraud: Accessing bank accounts, credit, or filing fake taxes.

  • Grandparent scam: Impersonating distressed relatives to request urgent funds.

  • Romance scams: Fabricated relationships followed by financial requests.

  • Tech support scams: Fake alerts prompt victims to give remote computer access.

  • Investment & cryptocurrency fraud: Fake online investment pitches.

  • Government/immigration scams: Fake CRA agents or immigration services demanding payments.

  • Prize or sweepstakes scams: Pay “fees” to claim a nonexistent prize.

  • Fake home services: Fraudulent contractors taking money or performing shoddy work.

  • Charity scams: Soliciting donations for fake causes.

  • Healthcare scams: Fake medications or unproven treatments exploiting seniors’ health concerns.

Toronto 2025: Top 5 Fraud Categories

(Source: Toronto Police Service, March 2025)

  1. Online investment scams – $71.2 million

  2. Account takeovers (bank, cellphone) – $36.1 million

  3. Confidence scams (romance, grandparent, taxi) – $34.5 million

  4. Cryptocurrency scams – $34.5 million

  5. Identity theft – $16.4 million

CARP’s Case: Ageism Accepts Losses, Fuels Crime

CARP contends that seniors aren’t just victims—they’re sacrificial lambs in an ageist system that tolerates their losses and enriches crime syndicates.

The 2025 Toronto Police fraud news conference once again preached caution—while enforcement stalled.

Conclusion

Fraud cost seniors $137.9 million in reported losses in 2024—and likely billions more went unreported.

Yet Canada treats them as disposable.

Education has failed; justice must prevail.

Ageism fuels this passivity, emboldening criminals. CARP’s demands—for resources, stronger penalties, and bank accountability—are non-negotiable.

Canada must stop abetting fraud against our seniors. Justice isn’t optional—it’s overdue.

References

 

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