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If the crime you are reporting is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
If the crime you are reporting is not an emergency, you can call the non-emergency line at 604-525-5411 or attend our Front Counter at 555 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.
New Westminster – The NWPD are warning the public about recent frauds that took a significant amount of cash from two local seniors. In the first instance, on June 19th, the victim received a phone call from a male believed to be his son stating that he needed money for damages from an accident he had in Victoria after attending a rock concert. The male said he was going to send a friend to meet the victim to collect the money. The victim then attended a local bank in the Uptown area and withdrew a significant amount of cash. The victim then met the “friend” nearby who is described as follows:
- South Asian male
- Approx. 35 yrs
- 5’8″ height
- Wearing a maroon shirt
- Wearing tinted prescription sun glasses
The victim gave the money to the male and he departed the area. The victim spoke with his actual son later that day to discover that he had never called requesting money. Surveillance video in the area has been requested and the investigation is ongoing.
In the second incident, on June 19th, the victim reported that she received a telephone call from a private number from a male advising he was her grandson. The male said he needed money to pay for damages incurred during a car crash that he had caused driving while impaired in Victoria, BC. The victim was again told to meet with a friend of her grandson who would deliver this money to [the grandson]. The victim then met the “friend” on the street outside her home. The male is described as follows:
- Black male who went by the name “Brian”
- Approx. 25 years old
- 6″2-6″4 height
- Wearing a black leather jacket with pockets that snapped shut
- Wearing black dress pants
- Wearing black shoes
- Wore jewelry (nothing specified)
The victim handed the money to “Brian” and he departed the area. She then contacted her grandson the next day to then realize that she had been the victim of fraud and her grandson had never contacted her requesting money. This investigation is ongoing.
“We urge Seniors to verify the identity of people claiming to be their relative over the telephone and asking them for money”, says Sgt. Diana McDaniel. If you receive a call like this, and are unsure what to do, please call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411 and report the incident.
If anyone can provide any information about these crimes, please contact Constable Janet Beeson or Constable Shannon McLeod at 604-525-5411 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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