Burnaby RCMP are warning the public about a scam involving people claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency demanding iTunes gift cards as payment.

The victim, a 22-year-old woman who police say is new to the country and unfamiliar with how tax laws work, says she received a call from someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency.

The caller claimed she owed money and would have to pay the 'debt' in the form of iTunes gift cards, or risk being thrown in jail and deported.

Payment demanded in iTunes cards

RCMP say the woman purchased thousands of dollars in iTunes gift cards, which she turned over to the suspects over Snapchat. The victim ended up losing all but $100, because the card numbers were redeemed.

The scammers then convinced the victim to purchase another $1,000 worth of gift cards from Shoppers Drug Mart. Police say those cards were not redeemed and will be refunded to the young woman.

'A very unfortunate incident'

"This was a very unfortunate incident for this young lady," said Burnaby RCMP Chief Superintendent Stephan Drolet, in a statement.

"We want to warn the public, and especially businesses, that if you see people purchasing large volumes of gift cards, to please take a moment and ask them about it."

"Ask them if this is a request allegedly coming from the Canada Revenue Agency and if it is, please advise them to call police," he added.

RCMP say this was the second such incident reported to them in the past week and is an extortion fraud that is growing around the country.