MCPEI WARN PEI FIRST NATIONS OF TELEPHONE SCAM

SUMMERSIDE, PEI, April 4, 2008 – The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI) is warning PEI First Nations and all Islanders of a potential telephone scam.

The telephone scam involves an individual claiming to be Chief Brian Francis of the Abegweit First Nation. The individual claims suggest there has been a death in the family and money is needed to make arrangements to get home. The individual states they are calling from Winnipeg or another part of the country. The caller suggests money is needed immediately, the company they are dealing with will not take credit cards and cash must be wired via Western Union.

The caller appears to be very authentic and convincing, but it is not Chief Francis or anyone calling on his behalf.

MCPEI have informed the RCMP of the scam, and have taken steps to inform PEI First Nations of scam, through email, community mail outs and posted notices. The calls are not just targeting First Nations, there have been reports of organizations and individuals throughout the province being contacted.

If contacted, RCMP suggests individuals to hang up the phone and contact the nearest detachment immediately.

For more information, contact:
Dennis King
Director of Communications
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island
(902) 367-3660
communications@mcpei.ca

ABOUT MCPEI
MCPEI is a tribal organization for PEI Mi’kmaq Governments in Lennox Island and Abegweit (Rocky Point, Morell Rear and Scothfort) and their citizens living on and off reserve.