Cranbrook RCMP was advised Oct. 25 of a new revision on an old email scam occurring in the community.

A complainant called to advise that they had received an email regarding their business where the scammer (who sent the email) wanted to engage in a business deal involving the rental of a venue in Cranbrook for a couple from India.

The scam involved the victim using the scammer’s credit card, where an amount for the rental and a translator for the couple was to be charged up front on the credit card. This was as far as the scam went as the intended victim felt the intended business practice was suspicious and no crime was committed.

A common scam is to have the victim, on the guise of a business deal, either cash a cheque or take a cash advance on a credit card for some reason or another, then return all or a portion of the withdrawn cash to the scammer. This all happens in quick order and on many occasions either the cheque is no good or the credit card reverses the charges and the victim becomes responsible for the cash which has been withdrawn.

Cranbrook RCMP would like to remind the public to be wary of any requests for business from anyone or any company you do not know, especially if it is received on the Internet.

If anyone has any additional n about this or any other crime they can call the Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or East Kootenay Crimestoppers (1-800-222-TIPS)

You can also leave Crimestoppers and a webtip.

Cpl P.E.(Pat) Prefontaine

Cranbrook RCMP

Article Share