A kind of criminal double-whammy is hitting Red Deer, Alta. residents according to local RCMP.
Police are warning of so-called “assist-to-recover” scams that target those who’ve had property stolen. The scammers contact victims who have posted about their loss online, saying they have the stolen goods and will return them for a fee.
The scammers will often request a money transfer and tell the victims that they will reveal the location of the goods once the funds have been received.
“The sharing of information on social media regarding stolen vehicles and other property has been of great help to police; citizens who visit those pages frequently recognize and report stolen vehicles, resulting in arrests, criminal charges and the return of stolen property to its rightful owners,” the RCMP said in a statement.
“The rise of these extortion tactics, however, is a reminder that criminals are looking at the same sites in search of potential victims.”
Read more at CBC News
