RCMP Financial Crime Bust Seizes $40,000 in Alberta Fraud Case

Community Safety Alert: Multi-City Financial Fraud Investigation

The RCMP Provincial Financial Crime Team (PFCT) in Alberta has charged four people in connection with an alleged multi-jurisdictional bank fraud and money laundering scheme that spanned multiple communities across the province. The investigation led to the seizure of more than $40,000 in suspected proceeds of crime, along with fraudulent documents and electronics.

According to the RCMP, between June 2023 and January 2025, the accused are alleged to have used forged documents to open accounts at banks in several Alberta municipalities. Investigators say these accounts were then used to deposit forged cheques and rapidly move funds through withdrawals, e‑transfers, and purchases, causing substantial financial losses to victims and financial institutions.

Official RCMP Incident Details

RCMP investigators report that the alleged fraud activity affected multiple communities, including:

• Strathmore
• Camrose
• Athabasca
• Edson
• Hinton
• Olds
• Cold Lake
• Brooks
• Lloydminster
• Fort Saskatchewan

Due to the breadth of the activity and the number of communities involved, several investigations were initiated by Alberta RCMP detachments in High River, Stettler and Cold Lake, as well as by the Lacombe Police Service (LPS). The Provincial Financial Crime Team, which focuses on serious fraud, corruption, and money laundering, assumed primary responsibility for the file as the multijurisdictional elements became clear. For broader context on how different police services coordinate on cases like this, you can review Crime Canada’s overview of police areas and jurisdictions across Canada.

On January 15, 2025, PFCT officers executed a search warrant at a residence in St. Albert, Alberta. That operation resulted in the seizure of:

• Fraudulent or forged documentation
• Electronic devices believed to be linked to the alleged offences
• More than $40,000 in suspected proceeds of crime

Accused Individuals and Court Information

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were formally charged in March 2026:

• Robert Joseph Payne (36), resident of St. Albert – arrested and charged with five criminal offences related to fraud and money laundering.
• Tisha Jasmine Levene (36), resident of Edmonton – charged with five criminal offences related to fraud and money laundering.
• Coda William Fika (40), of no fixed address – arrested and charged with two criminal offences.
• Jacob Brody Doucette (32), of no fixed address – charged with two criminal offences; an Alberta-wide arrest warrant has been issued for him.

Payne, Levene, and Fika are scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on May 13, 2026.

The RCMP notes that multiple agencies contributed to this financial crime investigation, including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Lacombe Police Service (LPS), the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), and the British Columbia RCMP. This case is one of many significant national files highlighted in Crime Canada’s ongoing National Crime News coverage.

How to Report Fraud or Financial Crime

If you believe you have been affected by similar financial activity, or if you have information related to fraud, money laundering, or forged financial documents, the RCMP advises the public to:

• Report directly to your local RCMP detachment or your local police service of jurisdiction.
• If you are a victim of fraud or cybercrime, contact your local police to file a report.
• To report scams, frauds, or cybercrime (whether or not you are a victim), file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
  • Online via the Online Fraud Reporting System
  • By phone at 1-888-495-8501

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case underlines how organized financial crime can quietly impact residents across many communities at once. Fraud schemes that rely on forged documents and rapid movement of funds can erode trust in financial systems, harm individuals, and damage local businesses. Even though this investigation centres on Alberta, similar methods may be used in other parts of Canada, making public awareness essential.

To help protect yourself, regularly monitor your bank and credit accounts, question unexpected requests for personal or financial information, and verify business opportunities or financial transactions directly with your financial institution. If a banking interaction or online payment request feels unusual, pause and independently confirm details before sending money or sharing data. Promptly reporting suspicious activity to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre not only protects you, but also helps investigators identify patterns and disrupt larger networks involved in fraud and money laundering.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the canada community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.