**** RCMP Media Release
RCMP warns of online marketplace scams
Recently, Halifax District RCMP has received several reports of online marketplace scams.
These scams involved victims purchasing various items on online marketplaces (these have included pets, vehicles and appliances). The victims send money to the seller and make arrangement to meet, but the address is not valid. The seller then stops communicating with the victim.
Police want people to know that anyone can be the victim of a scam, and it’s important to view all purchases with a critical eye at all times. At any time, if you feel you are the victim of a scam, or if you want more information about frauds and scams, there are resources that can help:
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
- Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
You can also contact your local RCMP or police for advice if you feel you’ve been victimized.
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RCMP investigating new scam
Cumberland County District RCMP is investigating a scam where unknown persons contacted an elderly man and set up telecommunications accounts in his name fraudulently.
On December 14, police received a complaint of two brand new iPhones being received by an elderly man in Maccan. The man had not purchased the phones and had no idea where they came from. Police began an investigation and learned that the two phones were linked to a fraudulent account in the man’s name.
While police were at the man’s home, a person claiming to be from Bell called wanting to set up internet and advised that the phones had been mislabelled and were supposed to be returned to a Montreal address.
RCMP is continuing to investigate the matter and it is likely that this incident occurred due to identity fraud. The RCMP is notifying the public of this scam and asking that should you receive any packages that you are not expecting, to immediately contact the company from which the package was received. Please then contact your local police or RCMP detachment so that the matter can be investigated.
