Online scams becoming more elaborate and frequent

“She kept giving me excuses, saying ‘my husband had covid, he got called to work, I fell and hurt my back.’ And I said, ‘right, just give me my money back.’ I know you’re not supposed to pay for things before you get them, but I was having some faith in her that she was going to deliver this to me,” Tosoff said.

Several examples of screenshots between Tosoff and the scammer.

Tosoff went to the police, but unfortunately not much could be done. Prince George RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper explained catching online scammers can be quite difficult due to how easy it is to create fake profiles online, along with changing your identity, location, and more. Given how frequent scams are too sometimes the RCMP just doesn’t have the resources necessary to tackle every single case. Because of this, it’s extra important to watch for red flags and be cautious with any sale.

“If they’re using a lot of high pressure tactics, making it seem like you have to get this today, asking for deposits up front, that sort of thing, maybe (…) the best way to protect yourself and your money, unfortunately, is to keep it until you can see the item in person. If that means that you have to say goodbye to the item because you’re not willing to put down a deposit that might be the best way to keep yourself protected. Sometimes you’re just going to have to say goodbye to the deal,” Cooper said.

Cooper added any online scam is never the victim’s fault, as it’s the scammer that knows how to create what seems to be a legitimate situation and preys on unsuspecting shoppers. However, due to the amount of scammers out there it’s important for the shopper to keep a close eye for any signs the deal may not be legitimate.

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by Tommy Osborne

Online scams becoming more elaborate and frequent

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