An online friend who needed a little help with his luggage was not the military man he claimed to be, a Langley resident discovered.
The person was a con artist who used the new VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone technology to run an old-style scam, RCMP said.
It started with a conversation over the Skype service that uses the internet for free long-distance calling. It was with an individual who identified himself as a Lieutenant General of the US Army currently serving in Afghanistan.
After several friendly chats designed to build trust, the fake general sent an email asking for some help shipping his property back from Afghanistan.
It would cost $1,000 to cover the registration and delivery fee required to ship the military man's trunk.
The Langley resident was told a UN diplomat would coordinate the delivery to the complainant’s home in Langley, where the officer would retrieve it on his return.
The victim sent the money via Western Union to an “accountant” in Ghana.
As it turned out the army officer was a real person whose name and identity were being used by an impersonator.
“The technology they’re using may be current, but the basics of the scam – that is to quickly establish trust, then ask for money under some pretense – remain the same,” said Cpl. Holly Marks, spokesperson for Langley RCMP.
“Unfortunately, the victim in this instance is not able to recover the funds,” said Cpl. Marks.
She added police discourage anyone from transferring funds to an all-too-new friend especially when that relationship has been established through phone or email.