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Surrey RCMP warn public to remain cautious of ‘intricate’ fraud involving spoofing tech, bitcoin

Surrey RCMP continues to investigate spoofing scam victimizes Lower Mainland residents
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Surrey RCMP continues to investigate a spoofing scam victimizes residents throughout the Lower Mainland.

According to an RCMP media release, a family was scammed out of thousands of dollars on Dec. 4 in an “intricate fraud.”

A man was contacted by a person posing as a delivery company. He was asked to meet the driver in a public location for a delivery, as the driver informed the man that his home address could not be found.

The man’s wife then received a call from what appeared to be her husband’s cell phone, using a spoofing technique that the Surrey RCMP has warned the public of before.

The caller told the woman that her husband was in custody and that she would need to send cash through a bitcoin ATM in order for him to be released.

The fraud was discovered after the money was deposited, and the family is reported to have lost “several thousands of dollars.”

“Police will never ask you for money either in bills, electronically, or using gift cards,” said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “Typical victims include elderly persons and people new to Canada not familiar with how government agencies operate. If you know someone in this demographic, please educate them about this and other scams to help protect them from being victimized.”

For more information on scam and fraud prevention, visit the Surrey RCMP’s website. If you believe you have been victim to fraud, please contact your local police and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.



editor@cloverdalereporter.com

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