Calgary minor hockey association defrauded of almost $100,000 in email scam

Almost $100,000 has been stolen from a Calgary minor hockey association in an email scam and now the search is on to find who is responsible and possibly recouping the money.

Earlier this month, the McKnight Hockey Association alerted its members that it had been the victim of a scam back on Jan. 4 called ‘spoofing’, where criminals use email addresses that are commonly seen by their victims.

The association’s treasurer received emails that she believed were from the group’s president and vice-president requesting a transfer of funds and two were processed.

One for $42,000 was recovered, but another for $97,000 was not and now the association is working with RBC and Calgary Police.

Speaking on Sportsnet 960 the Fan Friday afternoon, Hockey Calgary Executive Director Kevin Kobelka said the association is being open and transparent with its members.

“It’s sad to see in this day and age that people are targeting volunteer organizations and sport organizations and other volunteer organizations that have a lot of dedicated people stepping up to do their very best,” he said.

In a statement on the association’s website, McKnight explained it works with RBC to transfer funds to a GIC account so it can earn interest to pay bills, as well as work to keep registration fees flat.

“Our Treasurer unfortunately thought that these fraudulent requests were an extension of this type of investment,” the statement explained. “She believed the investment transaction was approved by the Board, and her communication with what she thought was the President and Vice President was verifying such a transaction.

Along with Calgary Police and RBC, the association is working with Hockey Calgary and Hockey Canada and is hopeful its insurance policy will cover the loss.

There’s currently no plans to fundraise the money and Kobelka said everyone in the organization has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

“The criminals out there are very clever and McKnight unfortunately made a mistake,” he said. “We’ve probably had eight or 10 other associations that have had the same thing targeted at them, fortunately they were able to catch it.”

Kobelka added while they hope the money will be recouped, it’s a reminder for other volunteer organizations to stay diligent.

“Make sure your protocols are in their proper place,” he said.

For Kobelka’s full interview on the Fan, visit http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/the-big-show/kevin-kobelka-rob-kerr-2/.