Iqaluit, Nunavut, May 23, 2025 – In November of 2024, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) was the victim of a cyber fraud attack with an initial loss of $2.2 million. QIA has since worked diligently to recover funds, and to date, has recovered $2.1 million of the $2.2 million lost. It is working to recover the outstanding amounts.
After investigating, QIA discovered that a third-party organization was hacked. The perpetrator used a familiar external organization’s email address and used that hacked email address to provide QIA with fraudulent banking details.
Once discovered, QIA took immediate steps to address the issue and provided the RCMP with information to stop the fraud and the perpetrator.
While QIA systems were not compromised, we nonetheless continue to update our current internal and external processes to avoid future fraud attempts. QIA is currently taking active steps in ensuring staff are trained and informed about cyber crime and ways to protect against attacks.
There will be no significant budgetary implications to QIA operations, given QIA’s swift recovery of most of the funds.
The QIA appreciates the dedicated efforts of the Iqaluit RCMP’s General Investigations Section throughout this process.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Flaherty
Director, Strategic Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(P) 867.975.8398 or toll-free 1.800.667.2742
kflaherty@qia.ca
