Vancouver Island residents lose over $39,000 to scams

Oceanside RCMP reported that three residents of Parksville and Qualicum Beach were defrauded of more than $29,000 between April 20 and April 26. Two victims fell for a cryptocurrency scheme on social media, another was tricked by a phone call purporting to be from a credit‑card company, and a third lost money after a caller claimed to be from a bank. The police received 284 scam‑related complaints during that week and have offered fraud‑prevention presentations to the community.

Separately, Saanich Police are seeking two suspects after a Victoria resident lost over $10,000 in a fraud scheme. Investigators say the victims received fake bank‑security‑breach calls, provided personal and banking information, had their SIM card disabled, and later handed over bank cards to the suspects, who made unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals. One suspect is described as a thin South‑Asian man in a white T‑shirt driving a white Toyota Camry; the other is a Black man seen on CCTV wearing a red baseball cap and a blue medical mask. Police urge the public to report any information and remind residents that banks never request passwords or card details over the phone.