The RCMP’s Strategic Communications New Media team has created a set of warning posters that will be placed in rural areas to stop victims of fraud from making Bitcoin payments.

According to police, scams continue to be prevalent throughout the province, primarily scams where culprits are representing themselves as agents from a government organization and requesting payment in Bitcoin.

The posters are very clear with warnings, including: “STOP – DO NOT use this Bitcoin machine if you are not in control of the QR Code you scan.”

“We felt that we needed to take one more step in educating potential victims and stopping them from making that irretrievable payment,” says Staff Sergeant Rob Marsollier of Red Deer RCMP Detachment. “We know that Edmonton Police Service has done similar posters, and if it stops even one person from losing their savings, then it’s a success.”

With cooperation from the businesses hosting the bitcoin machines, the posters will be put up throughout Alberta in the near future.