Nanaimo RCMP are urging residents to be aware and don't fall pray as online scammers continue to target social media platforms. (FreePik)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

internet traps

Nanaimo man loses $5,000 to Bitcoin scam, two others have close calls

May 30, 2021 | 11:30 AM

NANAIMO — Mounties are again urging caution as online scammers continue to target victims through social media platforms.

Police said three scams were reported within the last two month including one where a Nanaimo man lost $5,000.

“Scams come in many ways and through a variety of social media platforms”, Cst. Gary O’Brien said in a release.

The scammers in these incidents used a fake tech support company, Bitcoin and gift cards in an attempt to steal money.

On May 6, police said a Nanaimo man lost $5,000 through a Bitcoin scam. It happened after he received a message about an investment opportunity from a former friend through a messaging platform.

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The man put money into the investment, then was told to pay a service fee of $5,000 and provide his banking information, which he did.

A return on investment never came and his money was lost with Bitcoin transactions being untraceable.

In another incident, a woman purchased $2,000 in gift cards at Wal-Mart after receiving a notification from a friend’s account on Facebook.

The account was compromised and led her to believe purchasing the cards would qualify her for a grant from the “Lions Club International Giving Society”.

Fortunately, the woman’s bank will reimburse the money to her credit cards due to her filing a police report.

In late May, another woman fell victim to the common tech support scam after clicking on a pop-up which stated her computer was infected.

She gave up her driver’s license and credit card information to the company, System Input Services and was charged $300 to help remove a non-existant virus on her computer.

Again, the woman’s bank will reimburse her the money after reporting the scam.

Police consistently reinforce their messaging that if a request involves purchase of Bitcoin or gift cards, or comes as an unsolicited call offering computer or other services, it’s almost always a scam.

“The Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre is an excellent resource to stay up to date on any type of scam being perpetuated in our fair city, and across Canada at any given time,” O’Brien added.

To contact the Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre, go to https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm

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