Longueuil police have announced the relaunch of their SALUT program, a public-involvement campaign aimed at cracking down on fraud, with a specific focus on the prevalent "false representative" scheme. As part of this initiative, the municipal force has made public a gallery of images featuring 13 fraud suspects, seeking community assistance to advance investigations and make arrests in open cases.
Escalating Fraud Cases in the Montreal Area
According to Longueuil police spokesperson Jacqueline Pierre, reported cases of "false representative" fraud have seen a concerning increase. In 2024, there were 322 such frauds reported, and this number climbed to 375 in 2025, highlighting the growing threat to residents, particularly older adults. This type of scam is one of the most common frauds committed in the Montreal area, making the police's renewed efforts timely and critical.
How the "False Representative" Scheme Operates
The "false representative" fraud involves fraudsters phoning older adults and posing as employees of the victim's bank. They falsely claim that the victim's personal identification number has been compromised, creating a sense of urgency. The victims are then instructed to surrender their bank cards and credit cards, along with their PINs, to a bank representative who will pick up the cards at their address.
An accomplice, pretending to be the bank representative, subsequently shows up at the victim's home to collect the cards. Once in possession, the fraudsters proceed to make illegal withdrawals and purchases, exploiting the victims' trust and personal information. This deceptive tactic has led to significant financial losses and emotional distress for many in the community.
Previous Successes and Current Goals
The first edition of the SALUT project was launched in January 2025, during which images of 12 suspects were made public. That effort resulted in the arrest of six individuals, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in leveraging public involvement to combat fraud. Building on this success, the relaunched campaign now targets 13 new suspects, with police hoping that the gallery will lead to further arrests and help close more cases.
Community Involvement and Confidential Reporting
Longueuil police are urging anyone with information that could aid in the investigations to come forward. Individuals can contact the Longueuil police information line at 450-463-7211, with assurances that all calls will be treated confidentially. This call to action underscores the importance of community collaboration in fighting fraud and protecting vulnerable populations from such predatory schemes.
The relaunch of the SALUT program reflects a proactive approach by law enforcement to address the rising tide of fraud, emphasizing prevention, public awareness, and collective action to safeguard residents and bring perpetrators to justice.
