When the RCMP crypto investigation, a major Canadian law enforcement effort targeting fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Also known as Royal Canadian Mounted Police crypto probe, it wasn’t just another regulatory warning—it was a full-scale takedown of scams that stole millions from everyday people. The RCMP didn’t wait for complaints. They tracked fake exchanges, fake airdrops, and phishing sites that pretended to be real platforms like Upbit or Poloniex. And they didn’t stop at online fraud—they followed the money into unregistered crypto businesses that skipped KYC and AML rules entirely.
This probe didn’t just target small-time scammers. It hit platforms that pretended to be legitimate, like LongBit and AnimeSwap, which had zero audits, no real team, and no legal presence. The RCMP worked with FINTRAC and the Canada Revenue Agency to trace transactions linked to these fake exchanges. One case alone uncovered over $20 million in stolen crypto tied to impersonation scams using fake customer support chats. What made this different? The RCMP didn’t just shut down websites. They arrested people. They seized bank accounts. And they forced Canadian exchanges to finally enforce real identity checks—no more anonymous trading.
The ripple effect? Crypto projects now know that if they skip compliance, they’re not just risking fines—they’re risking jail time. The KYC compliance, the legal requirement for crypto platforms to verify user identities. Also known as know your customer rules, it’s no longer optional in Canada. The crypto scams, fraudulent schemes that trick users into sending crypto with false promises of free tokens or high returns. Also known as crypto fraud, they’re now treated like bank heists. And the cryptocurrency regulation, the set of laws and enforcement actions that control how digital assets are traded, taxed, and monitored. Also known as crypto legal framework, it’s now backed by real police power. You’ll find posts here that break down exactly how these scams operated, which exchanges got shut down, and what steps you can take today to avoid becoming the next victim. This isn’t theory. It’s what happened—and what you need to know before you click ‘claim your free tokens’ again.
Canada seized $40 million in crypto from TradeOgre, shutting down the anonymous exchange for operating without KYC or regulatory approval. This landmark case shows how law enforcement can track even privacy-focused crypto platforms.