Renfrew County Crime Stoppers will celebrate the start of 2026 with a reminder about the importance of anonymous reporting.
January is Crime Stoppers Month, and the Ottawa Valley’s local tip gatherers are working alongside the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to stress how crucial anonymous whistleblowers are to assisting law enforcement in identifying and preventing fraud and other crimes.
CAFC explains that fraud networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and far-reaching, with many groups holding strong ties in Canada by recruiting local facilitators with access to infrastructure like phone numbers, bank accounts, and addresses that can be used to carry out schemes in our community.
Anonymous tips help police identify local enablers and facilitators connected to larger fraud networks by:
- tracing financial movement, including money mule activity and cryptocurrency pathways,
- identifying criminal infrastructure such as fraudulent phone numbers, emails, domains, and social media ads,
- connecting cases that might otherwise appear unrelated
- building stronger investigative files and preparing enforcement action,
- taking disruptive measures to interrupt fraud operations operating in Canada
Crime Stoppers urges anyone with information to “Say It Here,” whether by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or by submitting a note through their online portal. All submissions are kept anonymous, and cash rewards are available for tips that lead to criminal charges being laid.
(written by Kasey Egan)