A shocking investigation by CTV's W5 has uncovered a disturbing link between cryptocurrency scams targeting Canadians and international human trafficking rings. The report, which aired on December 19, 2025, reveals that many of the fraudulent phone calls Canadians receive are made by individuals who are themselves victims of coercion and exploitation.
The Human Cost Behind the Scam Calls
According to cybercrime expert and prosecutor Erin West, a critical piece of information often missed by the public is that the perpetrators on the phone are frequently victims. "What Canadians may not know is that many of the people making the scam phone calls are victims too, often of human trafficking," West stated in the W5 segment. The investigation details how these individuals are often held in compounds abroad under brutal conditions, forced to work long hours executing complex financial frauds.
West described the environment as one of extreme coercion, where victims are subjected to severe punishment if they fail to meet quotas for stealing money. The scams typically involve convincing Canadians to invest in or transfer funds into fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, where the money disappears instantly.
How the Cryptocurrency Scams Operate
The fraudsters use sophisticated social engineering tactics, often posing as government officials, bank fraud investigators, or tech support. They create a sense of urgency, convincing victims that their finances are at risk and that moving money into a "secure" digital wallet or crypto investment is the only solution. The use of cryptocurrency provides a layer of anonymity for the criminal networks, making it exceptionally difficult for law enforcement to trace and recover the stolen funds.
The W5 investigation highlights that these are not isolated crimes but part of a large-scale, organized criminal enterprise. The operations are run with military-like precision, with trafficked individuals working in call centers that target thousands of potential victims daily, primarily in Canada and other English-speaking countries.
A Call for Awareness and Action
The report serves as a stark warning for Canadians to be hyper-vigilant about unsolicited phone calls, especially those involving financial matters or cryptocurrency. Experts advise never giving out personal information, clicking on links sent via text, or transferring money based on a phone call you did not initiate.
Furthermore, the investigation sheds light on the dual-layered tragedy of these crimes: the financial devastation for Canadian victims and the horrific human rights abuses suffered by those forced to carry out the scams. It calls for increased international cooperation to dismantle the trafficking networks and the fraudulent schemes they run. Understanding that the voice on the other end of the line may be acting under duress adds a complex, human dimension to the growing threat of cryptocurrency fraud.
