Police initiated an investigation in 2022 following several local complainants who fell victim to a task-based employment scam that involved accessing a fraudulent internet platform. Scammers contacted victims on social media about a job and investment opportunity that they could do from home. Positioned as completing Amazon orders, the fake role required victims to log on to an internet platform called Sharegain, invest funds based on the size of the order and process 20 to 40 tasks per day to earn guaranteed investment returns.
Referred to as an order-grabbing job, the victims would access fake Amazon orders and purportedly process them for reviews and shipment. Each order earned a commission percentage depending on the victim’s investment level, with larger orders requiring greater investment but yielding higher returns. Like a pyramid scheme, the scam also encouraged victims to recruit others to the platform to generate greater investment returns with more recruits. Victims would invest, get an initial withdrawal to confirm the platform was legitimate and then make more investments. The funds received in the initial withdrawal were sent from another victim thinking they were investing in the platform. Scammers also encouraged some victims to allow access to their accounts in return for higher investment returns.
“The scam is sophisticated as it uses Amazon’s name recognition to manipulate victims into a complex pyramid scheme that initially yields investments, which builds trust and credibility, but results in greater losses,” explained Const. Brian Mason, EPS Police Electronic Response Team. “If anyone is randomly recruited for a job or investment that guarantees quick results and high payouts in a short period of time, it is likely a scam. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.”
The EPS has confirmed losses of more than $84,000 to over 30 reported victims in the Edmonton area but suspects there are more impacted parties. Scammers often targeted newcomers and impersonated law enforcement and Canada Revenue Agency employees to instill fear. Many of these complainants maintained silence due to threats of deportation or charges. EPS has since laid charges of fraud over $5,000 against three local individuals: Chen Chen, 36, Jiameng Wang, 29, and Dalraj Gill, 35.
While it includes significant local losses, the scam is international and the investigation included several agency partners in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, including Canada Border Services Agency, Nanaimo and Langley RCMP, Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Sharegain platform operated from August 2021 through May 2022 and is believed to have impacted more than 600 people across Canada resulting in more than $1.2 million in losses from victims. The investigation found that an organized crime group from China orchestrated the scam and operated from British Columbia. Data connected showed historical links to funds believed to be associated to human trafficking both in finances and shell companies in the United Kingdom and China.
“Scammers that attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk. We will continue to invest in protecting consumers, and appreciate Edmonton law enforcement for their swift action,” said Jamie Wendell, Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon. “Victims of this scam, or anyone who receive other suspicious communications that claims to be from Amazon, can report it at www.amazon.ca/reportascam. Amazon will investigate and help hold bad actors accountable.”
The EPS continues to seek additional complainants in this long-term scam. Anyone who believes they may have been impacted in this scam is encouraged to report it to the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Please visit the EPS website for more information about how to spot a scam and common frauds.