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Raelene Vandenbosch, a resident of British Columbia, has taken legal action after falling victim to a SIM-swap scam that allegedly resulted in the loss of 12.57969337 BTC, now worth over $1.35 million. In her lawsuit, she accuses Rogers Communications and Match Transact Inc.of negligence, claiming a lapse in mobile security allowed hackers to seize control of her digital assets.
According to court documents, the incident occurred around June 30, 2021, and stemmed from a serious breach at a WOW! Mobile Boutique in Montreal, operated by Match Transact Inc. A store clerk at the kiosk allegedly received a call from someone impersonating a Rogers technician, who then persuaded the employee to share their computer screen. This error reportedly gave the fraudster unrestricted access to Rogers’ customer database.
Although Vandenbosch lived thousands of miles away, the hacker used the stolen data to clone her mobile account onto a new SIM card. With control of her phone number, the attacker gained access to her emails, messaging apps, and two-factor authentication codes—key tools needed to compromise her digital identity.
By the time Vandenbosch realized she had been locked out of her phone and mobile data, the hacker had already drained her cryptocurrency wallets on Ledger and Shakepay, stealing bitcoin that was then valued at approximately $392,704.61. Today, that amount has appreciated to over $1.3 million, amplifying the financial and emotional toll of the incident.
Her case underscores growing concerns over SIM-swapping fraud and the need for tighter telecom security protocols, particularly when dealing with sensitive financial data.
Bulk of Vandenbosch’s Lawsuit Directed to Arbitration
Raelene Vandenbosch, a pharmacy manager based in Squamish, has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence, breach of contract, and invasion of privacy. She claims that Rogers Communications failed to implement adequate security measures, despite long-standing awareness of the increasing threat posed by SIM-swap scams dating back to 2015. Vandenbosch further contends that Rogers compromised her privacy by allowing kiosk employees excessive access to sensitive customer data and by neglecting to enforce critical identity verification protocols. Meanwhile, Match Transact Inc. is also named in the suit for allegedly failing to properly secure her personal information.
Both Rogers and Match Transact have chosen not to confirm or refute the claims. Instead, they have pushed for private arbitration, referencing a clause in Vandenbosch’s mobile service agreement that mandates such a resolution process.
However, a ruling by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Anita Chan on June 27 introduced a legal nuance. While most of Vandenbosch’s claims will proceed to arbitration, the court has allowed one part of her case—specifically, her request for a public acknowledgment of wrongdoing—to move forward in open court, citing its relevance to broader public interest.
Vandenbosch’s lawyer, Alexia Majidi of Hammerco Lawyers, has not yet confirmed the legal team’s next course of action. Vandenbosch herself has declined to make a statement.
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