The Barrie Police Service is warning local business owners and job seekers in Barrie, Ontario, about a recent rise in sophisticated scams involving fake invoices and fraudulent job offers. This alert, issued during the final week of March 2026, highlights how scammers are using professional-looking emails and websites to steal thousands of dollars from unsuspecting residents.
Police say local companies are being targeted by fake invoices and phishing emails where a single click can result in major financial losses. To stay safe, the Barrie Police Service recommends that owners limit who can authorize payments and train staff to spot unusual order requests or large orders of expensive items.
Job seekers are also being told to look out for red flags like instant hiring without an interview or requests for payment through gift cards and cryptocurrency. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadians lost nearly $50 million to employment fraud in 2024 alone.
Det. Cst. Kris Nicholson of the Barrie Police Fraud Unit suggests a “Take Five, Tell Two” approach to prevent these losses. This method encourages residents to take five minutes to calm down and then tell two people about the situation before sending any money or personal information.
These warnings come as scams become harder to spot because of artificial intelligence, which helps criminals create polished messages and websites that look official. The Competition Bureau of Canada reports that total fraud losses across the country reached more than $704 million in 2025.
