Oceanside RCMP received 226 complaints the week of Jan. 15 to Jan. 21.
Some of the incidents included:
Jan. 16
• Front BC plate ST0490 was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 1000 block of Spoon Close, Qualicum Beach.
• A white 1992 Nissan Condor, BC plate KA6279, was reported stolen in the 1600 block of Alberni Highway, Parksville.
• A resident was reported out $5,600 as a victim of a phone scam advising her bank card had been fraudulently used and to buy gift cards.
Jan. 17
• A resident was reported scammed out of $17,000 responding to a text message purportedly from a major retailer promising a 2 per cent rebate, which was followed up by a phone call from an alleged employee of a major bank which gathered all the resident’s banking info.
• A resident was reported scammed out of $30,000 in a cryptocurrency scheme via a phone call purportedly by a private investigator.
Jan. 18
• A resident was reported out $240 in an online scam to purchase a product that never arrived.
• Construction equipment was reported vandalized in the 5800 block of River Road, Qualicum Beach.
• An ornamental fence was reported damaged in the 800 block of Gaetjen Street, Parksville.
• A resident was reported out $12,000 responding to a phone call from an alleged online retailer which led to access of the victim’s computer where a money transfer occurred to an off shore account.
Jan. 20
• A cedar hedge was reported vandalized, possibly by a vehicle, in the 3100 block of Island Highway West, Qualicum Beach.
Jan. 21
• Fuel was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 500 block of Eaglecrest Drive, 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, Parksville, with public business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays.
— NEWS Staff, submitted