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

You could have a Facebook doppelgnger 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 saythey 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.