AI-generated phone scams prompts police awareness campaign in Manitoba
WINNIPEG — Police are warning Manitobans about the burgeoning issue of artificial intelligence-generated phone scams by launching a new anti-fraud campaign.
Winnipeg police and the provincial government are working together to educate older adults about the tactics behind these types of scams, which can include mimicking the voices of loved ones and spoofing phone numbers with the goal of extracting money from the target.
Police say data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre suggests that Manitobans 60 and older reported losing nearly $350,000 from these types of frauds in 2024.
They say the force believes only five to 10 per cent of these crimes are reported because of fear and stigma.
The Manitoba government has provided $134,000 for the campaign, which will include television and radio spots, billboard ads and presentations.
Police say keeping up with advances in technology continues to pose a challenge for investigators, so they are encouraging people to immediately hang up if they receive suspicious calls.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2026.
The Canadian Press
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