Frauds targeting members receiving Robinson Huron Treaty distributions

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ROBINSON-HURON TERRITORY—The Anishinabek Police Service (APS) is issuing a warning about fraudulent activity targeting members of two of the communities it serves.

“Officers with the APS Major Crime Unit are currently investigating two separate frauds that targeted members of 91��˵��s communities who are entitled to receive Robinson Huron Treaty (RHT) distributions (which includes all 91��˵��s on Manitoulin Island and Whitefish River 91��˵��). Both cases remain under active investigation, and for this reason, we are sharing only limited details at this time,” a release explains.

“I’m not surprised with this news,” stated Glen Hare, chief of M’Chigeeng 91��˵��. “Money makes people do crazy things.”

APS reported that in the first incident (reported in July 2026) an unknown suspect used the identification of a community member to fraudulently receive a Robinson-Huron Treaty (RHT) payment to which they were not entitled. In this incident, the funds were distributed and have not yet been recovered.

“In the second incident (reported in August 2026), a scammer used the identification of a community member to make a request to receive an RHT payment under the eligible community member’s name. No funds were distributed in this case,” APS reported.

APS reported “We urge our communities to take the following precautions to ensure RHT payments are distributed to the correct entitled community members and consider implementing a form of authentication whereby the member who is entitled to receive monies must provide direct confirmation that they have made the application; do not accept only a single piece of identification. Instead, require at least two pieces of identification, including a primary piece of photo identification; be wary of an applicant who presents with a recent change in address or a recent change in banking information; flag applications from members who are not in a position to receive the monies (e.g. known to be deceased, someone unable to visit a band office due to being hospitalized long-term or being in custody).”

“If you have lost money to a fraud, please call police right away. Anyone with relevant information about these two investigations is asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122. Members of the public can report suspicious activity in the community using our Online Reporting Tool,” APS reported. “You can submit reports anytime, from any device, making it convenient to contribute to our community’s safety without delay. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Crime Stoppers guarantees the anonymity of tipsters and doesn’t ask for personal information. Tips that lead to successful investigations and resolutions may be eligible for cash rewards.”

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