Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Mar, 2024 12:43 PM
  • Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M

Mounties in Richmond are warning the public after a "significant rise" in romance scams and investment schemes in the city, with a loss of more than $16 million last year.

Police say they received 87 reports of romance crimes in 2023, and the trend continues this year with another 12 cases being reported between January to March with nearly $500,000 lost.

RCMP say these "long-con scams" involve grooming of the victims over weeks or months to nurture the relationship enough to convince them to invest their money in the fraud scheme.

The criminals usually find their victims through dating websites or other social media, and police say they entice them with false promises of profit, and may even show fake returns on initial investments, before their victims are financially ruined.

The scams usually involve cryptocurrencies, and police say they believe the actual number of victims may be higher as some might hesitant to come forward due to embarrassment or fear.

Police say people need to stay cautious and be skeptical of unsolicited contacts, especially from “overly attractive” profiles or strangers who show romantic interests.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. report says climate change brings health risk, as doctor fears 'colossal harms'

B.C. report says climate change brings health risk, as doctor fears 'colossal harms'
Communities across British Columbia needs to prepare for a climate-related health crisis like the deadly 2021 heat dome every year, according to the lead contributor to a report on health risks associated with climate change. Dr. Michael Schwandt, a medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health, said the region needs to increase its resilience to extreme heat events, and risks "colossal harms" if it doesn't.

B.C. report says climate change brings health risk, as doctor fears 'colossal harms'

Protest outside Mount Sinai Hospital 'reprehensible' show of antisemitism: Trudeau

Protest outside Mount Sinai Hospital 'reprehensible' show of antisemitism: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is denouncing a protest outside a Toronto hospital as a "reprehensible" display of antisemitism as police say they are investigating several incidents that took place during the demonstration.

Protest outside Mount Sinai Hospital 'reprehensible' show of antisemitism: Trudeau

Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts

Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts
Members of Parliament have invited several top executives from BCE Inc. and Bell Canada to testify later this month about the company's decision to cut about nine per cent of its workforce this year.  The House of Commons heritage committee has agreed to invite BCE Inc. CEO Mirko Bibic to address the cuts, which include impacts on newsrooms across the country. 

Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts

B.C. eyes community, non-profit, underused lands to build affordable rental units

B.C. eyes community, non-profit, underused lands to build affordable rental units
The New Democrat government's almost $3 billion BC Builds program will target property owned by governments, communities and non-profits, and provide low-cost financing to fast-track affordable rental developments on underutilized lands across B.C., he said.  

B.C. eyes community, non-profit, underused lands to build affordable rental units

B.C. police seize $11M worth of contraband cigarettes along with guns, drugs

B.C. police seize $11M worth of contraband cigarettes along with guns, drugs
Police in British Columbia say an investigation spanning several communities has led to the largest one-time seizure of contraband cigarettes in the province, with a retail value of $11 million, along with guns, ammunition and illegal drugs. A statement from the Combined Special Enforcement Unit says it received information last August prompting the investigation that expanded throughout B.C.'s Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island.  

B.C. police seize $11M worth of contraband cigarettes along with guns, drugs

44M to be pumped into transit for Burnaby

44M to be pumped into transit for Burnaby
A 44-million-dollar project aims to improve operations at the Burnaby transit centre.  A statement from Infrastructure Canada says the joint funding from the federal government and TransLink will support up to 130 additional buses in the fast-growing Metro Vancouver community.

44M to be pumped into transit for Burnaby