RCMP warn public about “heartbreaking” scam posts

PRINCE GEORGE— The Prince George RCMP are cautioning social media users to be wary of sharing or forwarding scam “heartbreaking” posts. The scam involves a bait-and-switch of the viewer with the original poster usually asking for help in finding the owners of a lost dog or the parents of a lost child, encouraging social media users to share the information in hopes of spreading awareness of what appears to be a gut-wrenching and attention-grabbing issue.

“What happens after the information has been shared is the original poster then changes their post, usually to a deceptive rental ad or fraudulent contest, often with the promise of a cash payout. When your friends and family see this on your social media page, they believe it to be legitimate and are more likely to click the link, thinking it has been endorsed and vetted by you,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP. “Once they have clicked through to the link, they could be asked to share personal information, which can lead to identity theft, or they will be asked for a deposit on the fake rental property.

One of these scams was caught by a social media user and reported to the Prince George RCMP on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. after a quick search mounties found the same post in in several other marketplace pages in different towns throughout North America. Mounties say that it’s a good sign that the information is false.

Text: Prince George BC Buy Sell Trade Free * Join “This little boy, approximately 2 years old, was found in #PrinceGeorge 1 hour ago. Officers have the child safe at the Police Station but we have no idea where he lives. No one has called looking for him. Please Bump this post .” (Photo Credit: PG RCMP)