Scammers continue to target Parksville Qualicum Beach residents.
Oceanside RCMP reported a resident reported losing $20,000, reacting to a pop-up message on their tablet and following instructions to buy gift cards, on April 17. Two days earlier, another resident reported being scammed out of $11,000, responding to an unsolicited phone call. The male caller said they were with a known bank and convinced the resident to deposit money into a cryptocurrency account on April 15.
The reports were among 225 complaints Oceanside RCMP received the week of April 15 to April 21.
Others included:
On April 15, a suspect was reported to have stolen refundable recycling containers from a property in the 100 block of Wallis Street in Parksville. Also in the city, a vehicle was reported vandalized with a window broken and cigarettes stolen in the 200 block of Craig Street.
The next day, a business break-and-enter was reported, with $400 cash missing in the 900 block of Price Road. In Coombs, a grey 2015 Yamaha FZ07 motorcycle, B.C. licence plate J27185, was reported stolen in the 1700 block of Alberni Highway.
On April 17, a blue 2004 Yamaha YZ450 was reported stolen in the 600 block of Chinook Avenue in Parksville, while two days later, a grey 2014 Yamaha scooter was reported stolen in the 1000 block of Lee Road. The same day in Nanoose Bay, a Hilti 14-inch concrete saw and hammer drill were reported stolen from a construction trailer in the 1400 block of Madrona Drive.
READ MORE: PQB resident defrauded out of $10K in cryptocurrency scam
On April 20, a trap used for a fish count was reportedly set on fire in the area of Shelly Road in Parksville.
In Qualicum Beach, oil and washer fluid were reported stolen after hours from a business in the 700 block of Horne Lake Road on April 21. The same day, B.C. licence plate LR205H was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 700 block of Arrowsmith Way in Parksville.
If you’re missing a pair of boots, headphones or a black fanny pack, they were found in a washroom at Rathtrevor Park in Parksville on April 21. Contact Oceanside RCMP during regular office hours to claim quoting File 2024-3474 to claim.
» If you see a crime in progress, call 911. Crimes of a less serious nature that are not in progress may be reported online. The Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number is 250-248-6111 (extension 7). The detachment is located at 421 Pym Street North in Parksville.
— NEWS Staff