Canada’s RCMP, Localcoin, banks, telcos hit scammers with 10,987 disruptions in five days

More than 50 organisations, including Bitcoin ATM operator Localcoin, took 10,987 disruptive actions against scam infrastructure in Canada between November 2 and 6, 2026, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on November 9, 2026. The total is more than triple the roughly 3,000 actions logged in the 2025 edition, which involved more than 25 partners.

Announced on November 11, the initiative was organised by the RCMP’s National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Its objective was to disrupt the communication channels and financial accounts criminals use to target victims, including phone numbers, email addresses, websites and banking infrastructure.

According to figures released by the RCMP, participation in Maple Disruption 2.0 doubled compared with the inaugural operation in 2025, while the number of disruptive actions increased more than threefold.

Maple Disruption 2.0 targets Bitcoin ATM fraud

A major focus of the operation was the use of Bitcoin ATMs in scams where criminals manipulate victims into converting cash into cryptocurrency.

Fraudsters frequently impersonate government officials, bank representatives or romantic partners to pressure individuals into withdrawing money and depositing it into cryptocurrency kiosks. Victims are often told that the transactions are necessary to resolve supposed financial emergencies, protect their savings or complete urgent payments.

Once the money is converted into digital assets and transferred to wallets controlled by criminals, recovering the funds can become significantly more difficult.

Localcoin said Bitcoin ATMs can represent one of the final opportunities to intervene while a scam is still unfolding. Through its participation in Maple Disruption, the company worked with other partners to identify suspicious activity across its Canadian network and prevent transactions considered to be at risk.

The company also deployed its compliance team to monitor potentially fraudulent transactions and shared information gathered from its kiosks with participating organisations. These indicators were intended to help law enforcement and other partners identify fraud-related infrastructure more quickly.

The involvement of cryptocurrency operators reflects the growing importance of cooperation between private-sector companies and law enforcement in addressing scams that exploit digital asset payment channels.

Localcoin works with police to block suspicious transactions

Localcoin chief executive officer Tristan Fong said the company’s position within the Bitcoin ATM industry allowed it to identify suspicious activity at a critical stage of fraudulent transactions.

“Scammers count on people being pressured when they reach the ATM. That’s exactly where we can step in,” Fong said.

He added that the operation demonstrated the value of collaboration between businesses that encounter suspicious transactions directly and institutions responsible for investigating financial crime.

“Maple Disruption showed what happens when the people who see fraud at the point of cash work shoulder to shoulder with police, banks and telcos,” he said.

The company’s contribution included identifying indicators of potential scams, reviewing transactions and sharing information that could help participating organisations respond to threats.

Founded in Toronto in 2016, Localcoin operates more than 1,000 Bitcoin ATM kiosks across Canada and over 2,100 worldwide. The company is registered with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the country’s financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering regulator.

Its participation in Maple Disruption 2.0 comes amid wider scrutiny of cryptocurrency ATMs and their potential use in financial fraud. While the machines provide a cash-based entry point into digital assets, their accessibility has also made them attractive to criminals attempting to exploit victims unfamiliar with cryptocurrency transactions.

RCMP reports stronger results from expanded operation

The latest operation represents an expansion of Canada’s coordinated approach to combating cybercrime and financial fraud.

The RCMP said more than 50 organisations participated in Maple Disruption 2.0, spanning law enforcement, financial services, telecommunications, technology and the cryptocurrency industry.

The reported 10,500 disruptive actions targeted different components of the infrastructure used by fraudsters. These included telephone numbers, email accounts, websites and financial accounts associated with fraudulent activities.

The increase compared with the 2025 operation suggests broader participation and a greater volume of coordinated interventions. However, the announcement did not provide a detailed breakdown of how many accounts were permanently disabled, how much money was recovered or how many arrests resulted from the initiative.

The operation’s results also highlight the importance of reporting suspected fraud. Authorities are encouraging Canadians who encounter scams, fraud or cybercrime to contact their local police and submit reports through the Canadian government’s online reporting portal.

Victims and individuals who suspect they have been targeted can file reports at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

According to the operation’s organisers, reports from the public help authorities develop a clearer understanding of emerging threats and strengthen coordinated responses.

As cryptocurrency adoption expands, Maple Disruption demonstrates how cooperation between digital asset businesses, financial institutions and law enforcement can help identify and interrupt fraudulent transactions before more victims lose their money. Whether the expanded approach will translate into measurable reductions in crypto-related fraud will depend on sustained enforcement, public awareness and continued collaboration across the financial sector.