New Westminster police are seeking assistance in locating a suspect in an “elaborate and professional scam” targeting a local senior.
On Feb. 8, an officer responded to a call for help from a senior, who told police they’d been the victim of an elaborate and professional scam.
The senior said they had received a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer, who advised that their grandchild had been arrested and needed a large sum of money for bail. The fraudster, posing as a police officer, assured the senior that if they put cash in an envelope someone would meet them outside their residence to pick it up and their grandchild would be released from jail.
A press release from the New Westminster Police Department states that a suspect met the senior outside their residence to collect the cash.
“We’re asking everyone to take a close look at this suspect and if you have any information about them to please contact the New Westminster Police Department,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver.
“We’re also asking people to speak to friends and family about this incident, and to share with them the techniques the fraudsters used. Knowledge is power and we need more people to know about the scams to prevent them from happening again.”
This suspect was described as a man in his 30s, standing approximately 6’3” tall with a medium build, and shoulder length black braids pulled back into a ponytail. This suspect was wearing a surgical mask, and identified himself to the victim as a court courier.
NWPD officers are collecting evidence in an attempt to identify the suspect who met with the victim to collect the money. Anyone who may be able to help identify the suspect can call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411 and reference file 23-2102.
