Fraudsters impersonating police officers scam senior in New Westminster, NWPD says
Police in New Westminster issued a warning Thursday after they say multiple suspects impersonating police officers defrauded a senior.
The New Westminster Police Department said the suspects spoke to the senior at her home and talked her into handing over several credit and debit cards, which were later used to make fraudulent purchases.
"This is deplorable criminal activity, targeting vulnerable people who badly need their hard-earned savings and pension income, by exploiting their trust of the police," Sgt. Andrew Leaver said in a news release. "I’d like to speak to these criminals directly; you should turn yourself in today."
The investigation is still in the early stages, and police are currently in the process of conducting interviews, as well as sourcing CCTV images of the suspects.
Police are asking the public to be vigilant and speak to friends and family members about this scam.
"The New Westminster Police Department would like to remind residents that before they open their front door to someone who is claiming to be a police officer, they can confirm the legitimacy of that claim by calling 911. Call takers will let you know if police officers have been sent to your location."
In an interview with CTV News, Leaver said people shouldn't be afraid to ask police officers for their name and badge number.
"If the person answering the questions is becoming evasive and doesn't want to give information to legitimize their presence, that right there is a red flag," he said.
"As the police, we know that we wear different uniforms even city to city… so it can be confusing for the public. We have units that wear business attire, we have units that wear street clothes."
"There's people out there taking advantage of the fact that people trust the police," he added. "So we'd love people to know that it's OK to ask those questions, and to question who it is they're talking to."
Anyone with information is asked to call the NWPD at 604-525-5411 and reference file number 2024-5516.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians are moving to the U.S. Here's one of the main reasons, according to an immigration expert
Recent data from the U.S. census revealed that more than 126,000 people moved from Canada to the U.S. in 2022. An expert said that one of the main reasons for this move is the cost of living.
'They need this protection': Trudeau gov't re-offers $1.5M for enhanced Pride security in Canada
For the second year, the federal government is offering up to $1.5M to Pride organizations across the country to fund enhanced security measures, amid a continued rise in anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate.
Her gut was producing alcohol. Doctors didn't believe her
For two years doctors told her she was an alcoholic. Then they realized her gut was making alcohol from carbohydrates, a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome.
Prospective jurors in Hunter Biden's firearms case questioned on gun rights, addiction
A federal gun case against U.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter opened Monday with jury selection, following the collapse of a plea deal that would have avoided the spectacle of a trial so close the 2024 election.
AFN national chief blasts governments' inaction on fifth anniversary of MMIWG report
On the fifth anniversary of a national inquiry's report into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is blasting all levels of government for what she calls slow progress to stop the crisis.
Toyota apologizes for cheating on vehicle testing and halts production of three models
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.
Crews searching for 3 missing mountaineers near Squamish, B.C.
A search effort has been launched for a trio of mountain climbers who were reported overdue after not returning from their excursion near Squamish, B.C.
Katy Perry 'fixed' Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech
Katy Perry has reimagined a recent commencement speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker that was criticized as homophobic and sexist.
Elected leaders should read Supreme Court decisions before speaking, says top justice
The chief justice of the Supreme Court is sending a warning about the risks elected officials run by reacting to decisions from the court without first having read the rulings themselves.