The Trail and Greater District RCMP is investigating a $10,000 fraud involving a telephone scam that targeted a local woman on Saturday, May 3.
According to police, the victim received a call from someone posing as a security officer from a financial institution.
The caller instructed her to assist in a supposed investigation by purchasing $10,000 worth of gift cards and relaying the card information over the phone.
Police say the suspect remained on the line while the woman withdrew funds from a local bank and proceeded to buy the gift cards.
The victim was eventually stopped by employees at a local business who recognized she was being scammed.
She later contacted her financial institutions as a precaution to alert them to the fraud.
Despite her efforts, the funds were not recoverable.
“Please do not purchase gift cards and send the information on the cards to anyone over the phone,” said Sgt. Mike Wicentowich of the Trail RCMP. “The money is not recoverable nor protected from your bank insurance.”
Police continue to warn the public about gift card scams, a common tactic used by fraudsters to extract untraceable payments from unsuspecting victims.
Anyone with information about this incident or similar scams is encouraged to contact their local police.
