Fraud
Stolen ID used in attempted fraud
KAMLOOPS – The search is on to identify a couple wanted in association with using stolen identification earlier this month. A male and female entered the Superstore on Columbia Street the evening of June 3 and attempted to purchase a new phone at the cell phone kiosk in the store. Before the transaction could be...
Woman sought in Kamloops theft and fraud
KAMLOOPS - RCMP are looking to identify a person of interest in relation to a theft of a wallet in May. Cpl. Cheryl Bush says a wallet was reported stolen on May 6. Further investigation showed the victim’s bank cards and identification had been fraudulently used. RCMP have released an image taken from security video...
Keremeos bank teller to repay fraudulent funds
PENTICTON - A former cash-strapped customer service representative for a Keremeos bank will have to pay back $25,000 she fraudulently took from customers' accounts, Judge Gregory Koturbash ruled in Penticton provincial court today, April 27. Elizabeth Natalie Elgie was working at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Keremeos in 2011 when her supervisor discovered...
Full time cashier convicted of stealing $24K in social assistance
GOING TO THE MINISTRY OFFICE MADE HER FEEL "WORTHLESS" KELOWNA – A Kelowna cashier is awaiting sentencing for fraud after collecting and spending close to $24,000 in social assistance while working full time because she was “finally living like everyone else.” According to a March 30 judgment by Judge Ellen Burdett, Theresa Derworiz, who has...
A fraudulent credit card, $400 worth of meat, and an off-duty cop
VERNON - A pair of people trying to buy hundreds of dollars worth of meat on Valentine’s Day attracted the attention of an off-duty officer. The individuals, a 31-year-old man from Penticton and a 32-year-old woman, were trying to pay for approximately $400 worth of meat from M&M Meats on Saturday, but the man was...
Be leery of this email targeting education support payments
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Parents looking to get the $40-per-day temporary education support payment promised by the government during the B.C. teachers’ strike are advised to be aware of a fraudulent email which includes a link to a false Canada Revenue Agency website. A Maple Ridge woman contacted the RCMP after receiving an email which linked to a site...
Former accountant handed jail time for fraud schemes in Vernon
"IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW I FELL FOR HER THE LAST TIME:" JUDGE VERNON - A former accountant who tried to cash a forged cheque grew more sophisticated in her ploys since her last court appearance for fraud, a Vernon provincial court judge said. Abigail Marie Mcelman, 36, was arrested at Vernon’s Venue Financial Centre...
North Okanagan residents warned of scammers
VERNON - Asked for money by phone, email, or in person, it doesn’t matter to the police — they’re reminding you to be cautious when handing over your cash. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the detachment receives around a dozen calls from people scammed out of their money every week. “We are reminding people again...
Prolific fraudster at it again
KELOWNA - A man known as a serial scammer is believed to be behind the latest string of reports in Kelowna. Police investigators say it appears a 40-year-old Kelowna man with a long list of convictions appears to be at it again, often using the story of a broken down truck or claiming he's a...
Fraud Alert: City not calling residents about survey
PENTICTON - The city is advising residents to be aware of fraudulent phone calls asking people to participate in a non existing “environmental survey.” The city is not calling residents to partake in a survey at this time. Reportedly the caller is being very persistent, phoning residents several times in a day saying they are...
Lawsuit filed against former hockey association treasurer, others
PENTICTON — A civil lawsuit has been filed against former hockey association board member Sandy Elder, alleging fraud and embezzlement of association funds. The claims the association's former treasurer illegally took $315,650 from the association and shared the money with five others, who are listed as “John Doe” in the suit. Elder’s husband and two...
Fraud trial for former city councillor, treasurer set for 2015
KAMLOOPS - A former city councillor charged with fraud, two counts of theft over $5,000 and breach of trust is set for trial next summer. The 15-day trial of Joe Leong is scheduled 15 days beginning Aug. 15, 2015. Leong was charged after the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society discovered $100,000 was missing from the society...