White Rock RCMP are warning residents of a "concerning" telephone scam in which the caller claims to be a White Rock RCMP officer.
Const. Janelle Shoihet said a resident called police after a male who identified himself as a sergeant with the detachment asked for $9,000 to be wired to Lebanon through Western Union. The money, the resident was told, would be used to process criminal charges that had been laid against his son, and to have him released from custody.
The caller used the son's actual name, and said he and his friends had been found in possession of illegal drugs, Shoihet said.
A real police officer would not ask for a money transfer on behalf of someone who is in custody, Shoihet.
Shoihet said anyone who receives a similar call should ask for a callback number, then verify it is indeed coming from the police detachment. As well, call the detachment to confirm the caller is a police officer.
Such calls should also be reported to police. In White Rock, the non-emergency line is 778-593-3600; in Surrey, call 604-599-0502.
For more information on how to protect yourself from frauds and scams, visit bc.rcmp.ca