The installation of Bitcoin ATMs in some corner stores appears to have facilitated the payment of fraudulent “overdue taxes” in a scam by people claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency. Police say more than 40 York Region residents have fallen victim to a Bitcoin tax scam, sending over $300,000 to fraudsters since August. The perpetrators tell victims they have overdue taxes to pay, and threaten them with arrest if they don’t settle up. Officers say Bitcoin transactions are unregulated and untraceable, making it difficult to investigate the frauds. York police have advised the public that any calls or emails asking for Bitcoin tax payments should be treated as a scam. Locally, there are Bitcoin ATMs in a few corner stores such as the Hasty Market on Redpath Ave.
