Online scams continue to snare Parksville Qualicum Beach residents.
On March 11, a resident reported being scammed out of $7,500, responding to a supposed customer service site suggested by a search engine inquiry looking for a major online retailer.
On March 13, an attempted fraud was reported by a resident responding to a text message, purportedly from a financial institution fraud department, requesting them to purchase $3,500 in gift cards. The day before, a resident reported being defrauded out of $1,400, also responding to an unknown caller claiming to be from a financial institution fraud department.
The incidents were among 191 complaints received by Oceanside RCMP the week of March 11 to March 17.
On March 12, an exterior light fixture was reported stolen from a business in the 600 block of Primrose Street in Qualicum Beach. On March 14, an umbrella and a garage door opener were reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Weld Street in Parksville. The next day, two trespassers were reported in the lobby of a building in the 100 block of Cheney Street in Parksville. They left without incident after police arrived.
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On March 17, six solar lights mounted on a fence were reported stolen from a property in the 3000 block of Raymur Place 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