Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following:
On July 19, a Gibsons man fell victim to a scam after individuals contacted him and stated they were with CIBC security. The victim believed he was helping the security team catch a fraudster and instead ended up himself being the victim and losing $10,000.
Front counter staff have reported that they continue to receive multiple calls every day from local residents who have either been defrauded or they have received a suspicious call where the caller is using believable yet elaborate stories trying to obtain personal information. Please be VIGILANT of your personal information. Do not make payments with gift cards. Don't feel pressured into making an immediate payment or providing personal information. If you feel suspicious, tell them you will call them back and attempt to determine their validity through other means by either calling your financial institution, a trusted family member or police. The most common scams being attempted are the "family member in distress" scam or the "Canada Revenue Agency" scam.
Found property
On July 11, a tote bag with miscellaneous tools was located at the trailhead at the end of Osprey Street in Sechelt. Tools can be claimed at the Sechelt RCMP detachment once a description is provided. File 2022-4644.
On July 19, five safety harnesses found in the bushes in the 5600 block of Inlet Avenue were discovered and taken to police. Items can be retrieved at Sunshine Coast RCMP. File 22-4850.
Mischief
On July 19, a resident in the 1000 block of Roberts Creek Road contacted police after discovering four of his fence panels had been spray painted with graffiti. If anyone has any information or witnessed this incident, they are asked to contact Sunshine Coast RCMP. File 22-4853.
On July 19, a silver MacBook Air was turned in to the Sechelt RCMP detachment after it had been located on Cowrie Street. If you are the owner and can provide a serial number or access the laptop through a log-in, please retrieve it from the Sechelt RCMP detachment. File 22-4862.
Theft from vehicle
On July 19, a resident of Sherlock Lane in Sechelt observed a male inside his vehicle rummaging through the glove box. The car owner had to pull the male out of his car after he refused to get out on his own. Police were called and located the male who is well known to police. The man was arrested for theft as well as for an outstanding warrant.
To learn more about how to protect yourself from popular scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
