Mounties warn of increasing parking lot, distraction scams across B.C.
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FRASER VALLEY/LOWER MAINLAND/BRITISH COLUMBIA – Mounties across British Columbia say they’re getting an increasing number of police reports involving a gold or distraction theft scam taking place in communities throughout the province.
According to a statement from B.C. RCMP spokesperson Corporal Brett Urano, who works out of E Division headquarters in Surrey, police say suspects continue to approach people in public areas such as restaurant parking lots, gas stations, and other busy locations. The suspects make bogus claims that they need money for gas, medical expenses, hotel bills, or other urgent situations, and may appear distressed or under duress in order to gain sympathy, making the situation seem time‑sensitive.
In some cases, victims provide cash and are given items the suspects claim are real gold. In other cases, particularly involving seniors, suspects convince victims to get into a vehicle and are driven to their bank to withdraw money. Once the transaction is complete, victims later discover the gold is fake and the suspects cannot be located.
“These scams rely on urgency and emotional pressure to convince victims to hand over money,” said Corporal Brett Urano, RCMP spokesperson. “We encourage the public to be cautious when approached unexpectedly and to report any suspicious interactions to police.”
