Our cell phones go off daily with calls from telemarketers and scammers. How many times have you "won a free cruise" or been asked to buy products over the phone? Too many to count, right? We're sick of it.

Thanks to an investigation by CBC Marketplace, we might finally be getting to the bottom of one of the biggest scams targetting Canadians, the CRA cyberscam.

READ MORE: CRA Scam Phone Calls Are Targeting Canadians And They're Getting More Aggressive

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The investigation team went all the way to Mumbai, India to track down the operation that has stolen over $10 million from Canadians. You're probably living under a rock if you haven't had a phone call from these scammers.

READ MORE: The CRA Has Released Information On How To Avoid Being Scammed After The Violent Attack In Vancouver

The phone call scam includes an automated message threatening you with arrest for unpaid taxes. They ask you to call their number back to sort things out. If you do, you'll be speaking with someone claiming to be an agent of the Canadian Revenue Agency.

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These scammers have been known to threaten people with loss of employment, seizure of assets and even the removal of their kids if they don't pay bogus amounts. While most people hang up on these phone calls, there have been some who have fallen for it.

Victims have been known to pay anywhere from $700 to over $100,000. The scam usually succeeds with the most venerable Canadians, the elderly and new immigrants.

63-year-old, Gehangir Rashidi transferred CRA scammers his entire life savings of $110,00 through Bitcoin machines around Toronto. He spoke to the CBC about his experience, "I said 'I don't have it,'" he told the caller. "They said, 'Go and borrow it from the bank. Go to a friend. Go to your employer. Go wherever you can to make money, but you have to pay.'"

We traced some of the CRA phone scam calls to an apartment building in Mumbai and when our team went to confront the scammers, a group of men chased them through the streets. https://t.co/wt9ANQQHOI @davidcommon @cbcnelisha — CBC Marketplace (@cbcmarketplace) September 21, 2018

CBC investigators traced some of these phone calls to a seedy Mumbai neighbourhood. When they confronted the scammers, a group of men who are believed to be armed, they took off into the streets.

The team did, however, uncover some information. The people pulling off these scams are usually in their 20s with impeccable English-language skills and understanding of Western countries. The more these people steal from victims, the more they take home.

Who's the voice on the other end of those fake tax agency phone calls? A whistleblower tells us how scammers are trained to get you to hand over your money. https://t.co/7lGZ0CBmpS pic.twitter.com/QNcHAjBqgP — CBC Marketplace (@cbcmarketplace) September 21, 2018



Despite complaints by 60,000 people, Canadian police aren't doing much to help, according to Indian authorities who are prepared crack down on the operation. They claim they've never even been contacted by authorities in Canada.

While the RCMP declined an on-camera interview with the CBC, they did offer this statement. "Fraud is a global problem without borders. By working with various municipal, provincial and national law enforcement and government partners, the RCMP is committed to preventing, detecting and deterring crimes that affect the economic integrity of Canada."

60,000 Canadians have complained about the CRA phone scam — but Indian police say Canada isn't asking for help. Read more here: https://t.co/FUYDsoz2AJ #CBCNN @cbchh @davidcommon pic.twitter.com/GZekgv9nKc — CBC Morning Live (@CBCMorningLive) September 21, 2018

While the RCMP haven't exactly answered how they plan to stop these scams overseas, the federal policing agency says the best way to avoid being scammed is to be aware.

The real CRA has warned Canadians that they do not ever leave personal information on voicemails or use aggressive language. If you get one of these scam calls, hang up. If you're in doubt, call the real CRA at 1-800-959-8281.

Source: CBC