Nanaimo RCMP received two separate reports of bitcoin scams less than 24 hours apart.
On Wednesday, January 15th, police were informed that two Nanaimo residents reported losses of over $20,000 in bitcoin scams.
In the first scam, a man told police that he received a phone call from an individual with a strong south Asian accent, who identified himself as a police officer.
The victim was told that their identity had been compromised, and in order to protect his money, he needed to send a percentage of his assets for safekeeping.
Instructions were given to the victim, directing him to a bitcoin machine in Woodgrove Centre where he deposited $13,000.
After sending the money, the victim realized that he may have been scammed.
The second incident involved a man receiving an email on his computer from US Digital Cellular, claiming there was a $849 refund available to him.
The victim called the number provided and was told that to receive the refund, he had to complete a questionnaire.
Once the questionnaire was completed and sent, he was told that there was an error and the company had incorrectly sent him $4,800.
He was asked to send the extra money back via bitcoin, and after sending the money the victim figured out that he had been scammed.
The victim admitted to police to feeling ashamed, but wanted to share his experience with others so they may not make the same mistakes he did.
“Rule number one is never open up, respond to or open links from people or companies you don’t know. Rule number two is if you are directed to pay by bitcoin, consider it a scam,” said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
