Fraud suspect: do you know this woman?

Kamloops City

2024-06-26 16:00 PDT

File # 2024-18096

Police are hoping the public can help identify a woman suspected of defrauding an elderly couple in Kamloops recently.

View larger image: an image of the suspect talking on a cellphone, partially blocked by a green plant.

On June 12, 2024, the Kamloops RCMP Detachment received a report of a scam in which two people lost thousands of dollars. On June 11, the couple had been contacted by someone who was crying, stated he was their son, and that he had been arrested and was in jail with his lawyer. A person posing as the lawyer spoke to the victims over the phone, then the caller instructed them to give bail money to a woman who would attend their residence.

When the woman arrived, the victims handed over a large sum of money, thinking they were helping their son, said Corporal Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP Detachment spokesperson. Sadly, this was not the case; their son had never called them and was not incarcerated.

Soon after, the victims received another call requesting more money be sent by e-transfer. Fortunately, the bank recognized the scam for what it was and prevented the transaction from going through.

Since then, police have acquired security video of the woman who collected the cash, said Cpl. Evelyn. We are releasing a suspect photo to the public in the hopes that someone will have information, or more clearer images available of her, to help further the investigation.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian female, dark hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a white sweatshirt, dark leggings, white sneakers and a black cross-body bag.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2024-18096.

Tips to recognize a scam

Scammers can be very convincing, sometimes crying and referring to the phone recipient as grandma, grandpa, mom, or dad. Residents are encouraged to slow things down and take the time to ask questions to verify a person’s identity, seeking information that only the loved one would know specifically. Often, the information the scammer needs is provided through an internet website, a family genealogy site, or a social media page.

Automatically be suspicious of:

• Anyone asking for money.
• Be extra suspicious if the money is requested through a wire (which is difficult to track and almost impossible to recover).

Always verify identities with other family members.

• Ask for their name rather than offer it.
• Ask for help from a member of your family or a trustworthy friend.
• Verify identities or whereabouts of the caller with other family members, even if they tell you not to.
• Don’t feel pressured to send money immediately.
• Don’t disclose personal financial information.
• Call the police.

Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.

If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or your local police detachment.

Released by:

Email: crystal.evelyn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: kamloops.rcmp.ca

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