The International Mass Marketing Fraud Working Group has designated June 1st, 2010 as the International Day of Action Against Mass Marketing Fraud. This day is meant to inform the public that the law enforcement community is working together locally, provincially, nationally and internationally with numerous private and public sector organizations to catch fraudsters and reduce victimization.

The RCMP’s Commercial Crime Branch estimates that mass marketing fraud losses in Canada are more than $10 billion annually. The majority of these frauds aren’t committed by kids playing with computers in their basements - almost 80% of them are carried out by large, well-organized criminal gangs. Even though you may not yet have been victimized, all Canadians should be concerned about the de-stabilization of our national economy and the strengthening of crime groups.

Fraud’s impact on individuals, families and businesses can be devastating: retirement savings, homes, businesses, and in some cases, lives, have all been lost.

The RCMP is working diligently with its law enforcement partners, and with government agencies and private businesses nationally and internationally to detect, disrupt and deter mass marketing fraud.

For more information about the International Day of Action, the International Mass Marketing Fraud Working Group and about efforts to deter fraud in Canada, please visit the RCMP’s Commercial Crime Branch website.