Surrey RCMP warn of escort services robbery scam

Following a spate of robberies, the Surrey RCMP is advising members of the public to let a friend know where they are going when using escort services for a sexual encounter.

The RCMP's announcement comes after a series of robberies that originated through escort service sites.

According to a Nov. 29 Surrey RCMP media release, several instances have taken place where men hired an escort and met at an arranged location for a sexual encounter but then got robbed instead.

Surprisingly, several incidents have been reported to the police, but the RCMP believes that others may have also fallen victim to the scheme but have not come forward to police.

The Surrey RCMP is encouraging victims to come forward to police.

"Any encounters that involve meeting up with unknown individuals that take place behind closed doors, brings about inherent risk to all parties involved," Surrey RCMP says in the media release.

Surrey police are therefore offering tips for those who chose to meet up with someone who is unknown to them.

The RCMP advises to: not use drugs or alcohol that can impair your ability to keep yourself safe, not consume anything provided to you by the other person, not have valuables easily accessible, and use a "buddy system" so that someone knows where you are and can contact police should you not check in with them.

The Surrey RCMP is urging one who may have been a victim to contact them at 604-599-0502.

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