Saskatoon

A Facebook doppelgänger may be trying to scam your friends, Saskatoon police warn

The Saskatoon Police Service says it's received several complaints about scammers imitating the victim's friends, right down to their Facebook profiles.

Scammers copying people's Facebook profiles in attempt to steal money

The police service says it's received several complaints about scammers imitating the victim's friends, right down to their Facebook profiles. (Guy Quenneville/CBC)

You could have a Facebook doppelgänger committing a crime using your name and a carbon copy of your social media account. 

The Saskatoon Police Service is warning people about a scam perpetrated on Facebook and its Messenger app.

The police force says it has several complaints from people who say they have been messaged by apparent friends.

"The 'friend' is actually a fraudster who has copied their legitimate friend's account to appear as them," according to the release. 

"The 'friend' claims they have just received a government grant and that the victim can receive a government grant as well by clicking on a link to a website provided in the message."

Police are warning people not to clink on the link, which leads to a fake website scamming people out of money. 

Police say people targeted by the scam are encouraged to file an online report with both the police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.