A heartless group of scam artists has struck another innocent victim this week.
Two weeks ago, Coast Reporter broke the story about a travel agency in Sechelt that received a desperate call from someone claiming to be Garry Feschuk from the Sechelt Indian Band.
The caller needed money and travel arrangements made quickly to allow two young people to attend a funeral. The call came in after hours and the good-hearted travel agent wired money and arranged for plane tickets and hotel accommodations. The next day, when no one showed up to settle the bill, she knew she had been duped.
A similar incident happened two days later to another Sechelt businessman.
The story was the same - man lost wallet, man without cash, man needs transportation immediately. The scam artist this time used Stan Dixon's name as well as Feschuk's and again came away with a sizeable chunk of change.
These types of crimes are heartless. Not only are they hurting the people who have been taken for a ride, they are falsely using names of prominent and respected people in our community.
They're also hurting other charities.
The next time you pick up the phone and a well-intentioned organization asks for a donation, who's to say they will get assistance. After what these two business owners went through, you wouldn't blame anyone for thinking that way.
RCMP are seeking any information about these crimes. We hope the business owners who were targeted step forward and help the police. These scammers must be stopped before more innocent victims get held up.
Justly rewardedOn a much lighter note, three Sechelt youths have the proud distinction of being honoured as Queen's Venturers.
Alton Toth, Chantelle Shields and Aaron Martel were honoured along with 38 others from B.C. and presented with the awards by lieutenant-governor of British Columbia, the honourable Iona Campagnolo, last week at Government House.
This is quite an honour and the three award winners put in a lot of work and dedication to earn this achievement.
We congratulate them all for a job well done. They are all great ambassadors for the Scout movement and for the whole Sunshine Coast!
