Saguenay Police Arrest Two Suspects in Banking Fraud Cases

Two men in their 20s have been arrested in Jonquière, Quebec, in connection with alleged banking fraud involving stolen bank cards and unauthorized transactions, the Saguenay Police Service (SPS) said. The suspects were arrested Thursday after allegedly persuading victims that their bank accounts had been compromised and collecting their cards at their homes. Searches at two residences led investigators to recover stolen cards, according to reports published October 9 by Radio-Canada and Le Quotidien.

Police said the suspects allegedly used the cards to make substantial purchases and conduct fraudulent transactions, potentially causing significant financial losses. The two men were released on a promise to appear in court. They could face charges of fraud exceeding $5,000, according to the SPS and the two news outlets.

The alleged scheme involves criminals posing as representatives of financial institutions and telling customers that suspicious transactions have occurred on their accounts. The suspects then persuade victims to hand over their bank cards in person, claiming the cards are needed to resolve the problem.

Once they obtain the cards, the perpetrators allegedly use them to make purchases and carry out unauthorized transactions. The SPS said older adults are frequently targeted by this type of fraud, which continues to affect residents in Saguenay. The police service warned that legitimate financial institutions do not ask customers to hand their bank cards to employees or other third parties. It advised people who suspect a fraudulent call to hang up and contact their financial institution directly using the official telephone number printed on the back of their card or listed on the institution's website.

The SPS emphasized that verifying a caller's identity through official contact channels is an important precaution against impersonation schemes. Its warning follows the arrests and recovery of stolen cards during the two residential searches. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity can contact the Saguenay Police Service by calling 418-699-6000 or emailing [email protected].