Image: Mission RCMP / Mounties in Mission are reminding the public, especially vulnerable seniors, not to fall prey to nefarious scammers after an elderly man was defrauded out of over $1,000 in late November.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Senior scammed

Fraudsters convince Mission senior he had won a car in latest scam to circulate: RCMP

Dec 9, 2024 | 7:48 AM

MISSION — Mounties in Mission are reminding the public, especially vulnerable seniors, not to fall prey to nefarious scammers after an elderly man was defrauded out of over $1,000 in late November.

Mission RCMP says a senior told police on Friday, November 29, that he had been the victim of a scam in which he received a phone call from a company advising him about a new car he had won. The scammer told the senior he would need to pay a $1,200 processing fee through the purchase of Apple gift cards in order to receive the new car. The man subsequently bought the Apple gift cards and sent them thinking the ruse was legitimate, but later realized there was no car and came to the conclusion he had been defrauded.

Police say these types of scams are ubiquitous, but the best defence against them is to consult with friends and family, especially for elderly persons, to ensure they are aware of these common scams. Police say the time-tested adage about scams being too good to be true is appropriate in this case.

“Just remember: If it’s too good to be true, it’s a scam,” Mission RCMP said. “Finally, if anyone asks that you pay a fee or a fine with gift cards…it’s a scam!”