Scams

A 93-year-old senior is left with nothing but bitcoin receipts after being scammed out of $15,000 in July. She’s hoping that sharing her experience will prevent others from being hurt. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)

Cloverdale senior hit by tag-teaming scammers, defrauding her of $15,000

93-year-old grandmother doesn’t want to see this happen to other seniors

 

Rent sign via The Star

Rental scams have spiked 160% since 2021, sparking warning from the BBB

The Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. has released a warning for those looking to rent

 

Derek Lints wipes away tears as he speaks about his son Daniel, 17, at his home in Pilot Mound, Man., on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Daniel Lints was sexually exploited online in February and committed suicide as a result. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

“World lost a good person:” Parents warn of global sextortion targeting teens

17-year-old was coerced into sending an explicit image to who he thought was a woman on Snapchat

 

The Abbotsford Police Department is warning about a recent online “romance scam” that saw a local senior lose $270,000. (Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash)

Online ‘romance scam’ sees Abbotsford senior lose $270K

Police warn that it’s almost impossible to catch fraudsters in such cases

The Abbotsford Police Department is warning about a recent online “romance scam” that saw a local senior lose $270,000. (Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash)
FILE - Shelves typically stocked with baby formula sit mostly empty at a store in San Antonio, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. A massive baby formula recall, combined with COVID-related supply chain problems, is getting most of the blame for the shortage that’s causing distress for many parents across the U.S. But the nation’s formula supply has long been vulnerable to this type of crisis, experts say, due to decades-old rules and policies that have allowed a handful of companies to corner nearly the entire U.S. market. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Scammers taking advantage of baby formula shortages, Better Business Bureau warns

Buyers should be wary of online ads from private sellers saying they have formula available

FILE - Shelves typically stocked with baby formula sit mostly empty at a store in San Antonio, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. A massive baby formula recall, combined with COVID-related supply chain problems, is getting most of the blame for the shortage that’s causing distress for many parents across the U.S. But the nation’s formula supply has long been vulnerable to this type of crisis, experts say, due to decades-old rules and policies that have allowed a handful of companies to corner nearly the entire U.S. market. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Vancouver Island is hardly immune to an ever-increasing number of seniors being targeted by frauds and scams. File Photo

RCMP campaign aims to prevent Vancouver Island seniors from falling victim to scams

Team works to create awareness and provide strategies for protecting seniors against financial loss

Vancouver Island is hardly immune to an ever-increasing number of seniors being targeted by frauds and scams. File Photo
Langley RCMP officers handcuffed one man when they searched an SUV and seized a quality of fake gold in Langley City on Wednesday, March 16, in the 20200 block of Fraser Highway. Because the suspect wasn’t caught in the act of selling, he was released without being charged after agreeing to leave the province. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

B.C. police bust alleged fake gold scam

Following search and seizure, suspect agrees to leave province

Langley RCMP officers handcuffed one man when they searched an SUV and seized a quality of fake gold in Langley City on Wednesday, March 16, in the 20200 block of Fraser Highway. Because the suspect wasn’t caught in the act of selling, he was released without being charged after agreeing to leave the province. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
FILE - This May 5, 2016, file photo shows Pokemon merchandise. (Mike Lang/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP)

2 Pokemon card collectors to get refunds in B.C. online scam case

The Civil Resolution Tribunal ordered Zachary Hall to give full refunds to the buyers

FILE - This May 5, 2016, file photo shows Pokemon merchandise. (Mike Lang/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP)
An elderly couple in Nanaimo was defrauded out of nearly $400,000 in a lottery scam, say RCMP. (Stock photo)

B.C. seniors defrauded out of nearly $400,000 in fake lottery scam

Elderly couple regularly sent money orders to pay taxes on their ‘winnings,’ say RCMP

An elderly couple in Nanaimo was defrauded out of nearly $400,000 in a lottery scam, say RCMP. (Stock photo)
(File photo)

Online purchases, dicey cryptocurrency schemes top Better Business Bureau’s riskiest scams

The anti-fraud agency has been tracking fraud trends with their online Scam Tracker since 2015

(File photo)
Cpl. Andres Sanchez and Staff-Sgt. Wayne Conley of the Sidney / North Saanich RCMP joins North Saanich Mayor Geoff Orr and Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith outside the detachment to raise awareness about the rising number of scams on the Saanich Peninsula. March is Fraud Prevention Month. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sophisticated scammers targeting North Saanich and Sidney: RCMP

Mayors Geoff Orr and Cliff McNeil-Smith concerned about regional spike in scams

Cpl. Andres Sanchez and Staff-Sgt. Wayne Conley of the Sidney / North Saanich RCMP joins North Saanich Mayor Geoff Orr and Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith outside the detachment to raise awareness about the rising number of scams on the Saanich Peninsula. March is Fraud Prevention Month. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Scams are on the rise in the jurisdiction of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, with recent victims including a North Saanich couple in their 90s. (Black Press Media file photo)

Scammers defraud North Saanich couple in their 90s of more than $10,000

Police encourage residents to say ‘no,’ take time when confronted with calls for urgent help

Scams are on the rise in the jurisdiction of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, with recent victims including a North Saanich couple in their 90s. (Black Press Media file photo)
VicPD is warning of this text scam making the rounds. (Photo courtesy of VicPD)

Watch out for ‘safety movement’ text scam, Victoria police warn

VicPD says never click on a text offering free money

VicPD is warning of this text scam making the rounds. (Photo courtesy of VicPD)
Ocean Park residents Gordon and Ester Rice recently lost $8,900 due to a fraud. (Aaron Hinks photo)

Swindler pretends to be grandson, scams B.C. seniors out of $8,900

Surrey RCMP are investigating as couple issues warning to others to be on their guard

Ocean Park residents Gordon and Ester Rice recently lost $8,900 due to a fraud. (Aaron Hinks photo)
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are warning of a scam involving a police impersonator Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (File photo)

Police impersonator steals thousands from North Okanagan residents

RCMP are warning residents of a scam in which fraudsters claim to be police officers over the phone

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are warning of a scam involving a police impersonator Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (File photo)
The Better Business Bureau is reminding residents to watch out for holiday scams. (Black Press Media file photo)

Better Business Bureau’s ‘Naughty List’ warns Vancouver Islanders of holiday scams

Fake charities, puppy scams, free gift cards among things to watch out for

The Better Business Bureau is reminding residents to watch out for holiday scams. (Black Press Media file photo)
The West Shore RCMP is encouraging residents to be safe this holiday season, and avoid falling victim to scams or theft. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore RCMP warns residents to be cautious of holiday scams, theft

Online shopping, mail, and unattended vehicles are all targets during the holiday season

The West Shore RCMP is encouraging residents to be safe this holiday season, and avoid falling victim to scams or theft. (Black Press Media file photo)
British Columbia residents are being warned of advanced and evolving online cryptocurrency investment scams (Pixabay.com)

British Columbians have lost $3.5M to cryptocurrency scams so far in 2021

Police urging caution as scams are on the rise through social media and online dating platforms

British Columbia residents are being warned of advanced and evolving online cryptocurrency investment scams (Pixabay.com)
Sent to Andrea DeMeer, Oct. 14, seven days after the romance began and four hours after the gift cards were promised but not sent. Scammer then blocked on Messenger.

LOVE HURTS: Black Press Media journalist goes inside a romance scam

Run by organized crime, these traps can be financially devastating and even fatal

Sent to Andrea DeMeer, Oct. 14, seven days after the romance began and four hours after the gift cards were promised but not sent. Scammer then blocked on Messenger.
Bonnie Ball of Chilliwack, pictured her with her dog Trudy on July 26, 2021, was the victim of a telephone fraud costing her $44,000. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

Telephone fraudster tricks Fraser Valley senior out of $44,000

Convinced by scammer her grandson was arrested and needed bail money

Bonnie Ball of Chilliwack, pictured her with her dog Trudy on July 26, 2021, was the victim of a telephone fraud costing her $44,000. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)