Scams

Scammers tried to trick a North Vancouver man into believing they had kidnapped his wife, police say. (Credit: Pixabay/Geralt)

Scammers pretend to kidnap North Vancouver man’s wife, demand ransom

Call appeared to come from wife’s phone; woman could be heard in background

 

The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers of the risk of online shopping scams as the busy holiday shopping season gets underway. (Courtesy of Better Business Bureau)

BBB warning of online shopping scams this holiday season

Online shopping scams reached record highs last year, and are on track to match or surpass this year

 

A fake piano donation almost scammed the Langley Hospice Society, said executive director Shannon Todd Booth. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Grand piano scam targets Langley Hospice Society

Staff narrowly avoided the scam, which has hit other locations

 

A 93-year-old senior is left with nothing but bitcoin receipts after being scammed out of $15,000 in July. She’s hoping that sharing her experience will prevent others from being hurt. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)

Cloverdale senior hit by tag-teaming scammers, defrauding her of $15,000

93-year-old grandmother doesn’t want to see this happen to other seniors

A 93-year-old senior is left with nothing but bitcoin receipts after being scammed out of $15,000 in July. She’s hoping that sharing her experience will prevent others from being hurt. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)
Rent sign via The Star

Rental scams have spiked 160% since 2021, sparking warning from the BBB

The Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. has released a warning for those looking to rent

Rent sign via The Star
Linda Annis is executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. (Malin Jordan/Black Press Media)

Elder abuse can be reported through Crime Stoppers

Older people can be subjected to various kinds of abuse, including physical, emotional and financial

Linda Annis is executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. (Malin Jordan/Black Press Media)
Derek Lints wipes away tears as he speaks about his son Daniel, 17, at his home in Pilot Mound, Man., on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Daniel Lints was sexually exploited online in February and committed suicide as a result. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

“World lost a good person:” Parents warn of global sextortion targeting teens

17-year-old was coerced into sending an explicit image to who he thought was a woman on Snapchat

Derek Lints wipes away tears as he speaks about his son Daniel, 17, at his home in Pilot Mound, Man., on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Daniel Lints was sexually exploited online in February and committed suicide as a result. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
(Black Press Media File Photo/Kaitlyn Baker via Unsplash) A seminar aimed at helping seniors better understand cryptocurrency and avoid falling victim to scams, is set for June 22 in White Rock. (File photo/Kaitlyn Baker via Unsplash)

Cryptocurrency- scams increasingly targeting Lower Mainland seniors

CARP of South Surrey/White Rock to host information seminar June 22

(Black Press Media File Photo/Kaitlyn Baker via Unsplash) A seminar aimed at helping seniors better understand cryptocurrency and avoid falling victim to scams, is set for June 22 in White Rock. (File photo/Kaitlyn Baker via Unsplash)
The Abbotsford Police Department is warning about a recent online “romance scam” that saw a local senior lose $270,000. (Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash)

Online ‘romance scam’ sees Abbotsford senior lose $270K

Police warn that it’s almost impossible to catch fraudsters in such cases

The Abbotsford Police Department is warning about a recent online “romance scam” that saw a local senior lose $270,000. (Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash)
FILE - Shelves typically stocked with baby formula sit mostly empty at a store in San Antonio, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. A massive baby formula recall, combined with COVID-related supply chain problems, is getting most of the blame for the shortage that’s causing distress for many parents across the U.S. But the nation’s formula supply has long been vulnerable to this type of crisis, experts say, due to decades-old rules and policies that have allowed a handful of companies to corner nearly the entire U.S. market. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Scammers taking advantage of baby formula shortages, Better Business Bureau warns

Buyers should be wary of online ads from private sellers saying they have formula available

FILE - Shelves typically stocked with baby formula sit mostly empty at a store in San Antonio, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. A massive baby formula recall, combined with COVID-related supply chain problems, is getting most of the blame for the shortage that’s causing distress for many parents across the U.S. But the nation’s formula supply has long been vulnerable to this type of crisis, experts say, due to decades-old rules and policies that have allowed a handful of companies to corner nearly the entire U.S. market. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Langley RCMP officers handcuffed one man when they searched an SUV and seized a quality of fake gold in Langley City on Wednesday, March 16, in the 20200 block of Fraser Highway. Because the suspect wasn’t caught in the act of selling, he was released without being charged after agreeing to leave the province. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Police bust alleged fake gold scam in Langley City

Following search and seizure, suspect agrees to leave province

Langley RCMP officers handcuffed one man when they searched an SUV and seized a quality of fake gold in Langley City on Wednesday, March 16, in the 20200 block of Fraser Highway. Because the suspect wasn’t caught in the act of selling, he was released without being charged after agreeing to leave the province. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
FILE - This May 5, 2016, file photo shows Pokemon merchandise. (Mike Lang/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP)

2 Pokemon card collectors to get refunds in B.C. online scam case

The Civil Resolution Tribunal ordered Zachary Hall to give full refunds to the buyers

FILE - This May 5, 2016, file photo shows Pokemon merchandise. (Mike Lang/Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP)
An elderly couple in Nanaimo was defrauded out of nearly $400,000 in a lottery scam, say RCMP. (Stock photo)

B.C. seniors defrauded out of nearly $400,000 in fake lottery scam

Elderly couple regularly sent money orders to pay taxes on their ‘winnings,’ say RCMP

An elderly couple in Nanaimo was defrauded out of nearly $400,000 in a lottery scam, say RCMP. (Stock photo)
(File photo)

Online purchases, dicey cryptocurrency schemes top Better Business Bureau’s riskiest scams

The anti-fraud agency has been tracking fraud trends with their online Scam Tracker since 2015

(File photo)
Ocean Park residents Gordon and Ester Rice recently lost $8,900 due to a fraud. (Aaron Hinks photo)

Swindler pretends to be grandson, scams B.C. seniors out of $8,900

Surrey RCMP are investigating as couple issues warning to others to be on their guard

Ocean Park residents Gordon and Ester Rice recently lost $8,900 due to a fraud. (Aaron Hinks photo)
Langley RCMP are again warning the public to beware of phone scams. (Black Press Media files)

Bitcoin scammers get $20,000 from Langley victims in one month

At least five people fell victim to con artists impersonating police or bankers

Langley RCMP are again warning the public to beware of phone scams. (Black Press Media files)
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are warning of a scam involving a police impersonator Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (File photo)

Police impersonator steals thousands from North Okanagan residents

RCMP are warning residents of a scam in which fraudsters claim to be police officers over the phone

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are warning of a scam involving a police impersonator Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (File photo)
The Better Business Bureau is reminding residents to watch out for holiday scams. (Black Press Media file photo)

Better Business Bureau’s ‘Naughty List’ warns B.C. residents of holiday scams

Fake charities, puppy scams, free gift cards among things to watch out for

The Better Business Bureau is reminding residents to watch out for holiday scams. (Black Press Media file photo)
Send your letter to the editor via email to news@langleyadvancetimes.com and include your first and last name, address, and phone number.

LETTER: Langley Seniors of the Year prevent another senior from being scammed

Family wrote to thank Bill and Arlene Pike for warning about scam phone calls

  • Nov 16, 2021
Send your letter to the editor via email to news@langleyadvancetimes.com and include your first and last name, address, and phone number.
Bill and Arlene Pike were named Seniors of the Year for their contributions to the community back in May 2021. Recently they received a scam phone call and hope that sharing their story prevents others from falling for scams. (Langley Advance Times file)

Langley’s Seniors of the Year targetted by scammers

Someone claiming to be their son’s lawyer asked for money. They doubled checked

Bill and Arlene Pike were named Seniors of the Year for their contributions to the community back in May 2021. Recently they received a scam phone call and hope that sharing their story prevents others from falling for scams. (Langley Advance Times file)