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PQB resident reports being bilked out of $55K in social media AI scam

Second person reports being scammed responding to social media auto parts ad
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(File photo)

Online scammers continue to victimize Parksville Qualicum Beach residents.

Oceanside RCMP took a report from a local resident, about being scammed out of $55,000 after responding to a social media posting to invest in AI with cryptocurrency, on Feb. 29.

The incident was among 196 complaints received by Oceanside RCMP the week of Feb. 26 to March 3.

Another resident reported being scammed out of $330, responding to a social media post offering auto parts on Feb. 26.

Also on Feb. 26, an estimated $5,500 in damage was reported to the splash park in Parksville, with a water table and connectors vandalized in the 100 block of Island Highway East.

The same day, a business break-and-enter was reported in the 800 block of Island Highway West in Parksville. A man was arrested and will appear in court at a later date on a charge recommendation of break and enter. Also Feb. 26, a Hyper brand e-bike was reported stolen in the 300 block of Hirst Avenue in Parksville.

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Anyone missing a new NFL jacket and tie can call RCMP after they were found in a plastic bag in the area of Butler Avenue and Fourneau Way in Parksville on Feb. 26. Call police during regular business hours, quoting File No. 2024-1759 to claim.

Another Feb. 26 incident involved wooden pallets reported stolen from a business in the 100 block of Alberni Highway in Parksville.

On Feb. 27, a lock was reported broken on a business dumpster in the 300 block of Island Highway West in Parksville. On March 1, a blue 2018 Dodge Caravan, with B.C. licence plates 180BKX, was reported stolen in the 600 block of Primrose Street of Qualicum Beach.

Two days later, a garage door opener was reported stolen in Parksville, from a vehicle in the 1600 block of Admiral Tryon Blvd.

» If you see a crime in progress, call 911. Crimes of a less serious nature that are not in progress may be reported online. The Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number is 250-248-6111 (extension 7). The detachment is located at 421 Pym Street North in Parksville.

— NEWS Staff



About the Author: Parksville Qualicum Beach News Staff

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