More Parksville Qualicum Beach residents have reported being victimized by online and telephone fraudsters.
On March 25, a person reported to Oceanside RCMP about being scammed out of $16,000 responding to an online cryptocurrency fraud. The same day, another resident reported being defrauded after responding to an email allegedly from an online provider for charges, and were told to connect with customer service for a refund. The fraudster advised the customer received a bigger refund and they need to purchase $10,000 in gift cards to correct the error. The resident at this point recognized this as a scam.
On March 29, resident reported an attempted scam of $14,000, responding to an automated phone message from a supposed bank. The caller instructed the resident to purchase cryptocurrency at several locations. On March 30, a resident reported a scam when they received a text message that they were spotted speeding and that they had to click on a link to pay.
The incidents were among 223 complaints received by Oceanside RCMP the week of March 25 to March 31.
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On March 25, a vehicle was reported vandalized with a tire slashed in the 1900 block of Grafton Avenue in Errington. The same day, another vehicle was reported vandalized, with all four tires slashed, a window broken, and keyed on Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach.
On March 27, a vehicle was reported vandalized with a key in the 300 block of Dunsmuir Road in Qualicum Beach. Two days later, a locked-up e-bike was reported vandalized with some parts stripped off the frame in the 300 block of Island Highway West in Parksville. Also that day in the city, a vehicle was reported vandalized with a key in the 100 block of Allsbrook Road.
On March 28, a soccer field in Qualicum Beach was reported vandalized with broken glass and fires set in the 700 block of Jones Street. One day later a birdhouse style mailbox and a business sign were reported vandalized in the 5400 block of Island Highway West in the town.
On March 30, a property was reported vandalized with paint in the 1700 block of Matterson Road in Errington. On March 31, a business was vandalized with a broken window in the 300 block of Island Highway West in Parksville. The same day, a vehicle was reported vandalized with damage to a side window and a dent on a door in the 100 block of Harrison Avenue; and a business was vandalized with a glass door smashed and a window broken in the 1200 block of Island Highway East.
Thieves remained busy during the week. A stolen electric bike was recovered thanks to a lead from the public in the area of 900 Lake Blvd in Parksville on March 25. The same day, a green 1999 Dodge Ram, B.C. licence plates LR0410, was reported stolen from the area of Hillier Road and Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach.
On March 29, a grey Norco and a brown/black Giant mountain bike were reported stolen from a garage in the 400 block of Quatsino Road in Qualicum Beach.
» 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