Salmon Arm RCMP are advising the public to use caution when buying and selling items using online marketplaces after receiving several reports of a fraudster scamming sellers in the Salmon Arm area.
The fraudster is described as male, Caucasian, approximately 40 years old, and has been meeting sellers in Canoe and around 50A St NE. The fraudster has been targeting e-bikes, and e-scooters to purchase, and claims to have sent an e-transfer to the seller. Sellers however are then unable to receive the e-transfer because it is cancelled after they have left the item with the fraudster and departed.
While using e-transfer is convenient, it does allow opportunities for both buyers and sellers to be scammed. Salmon Arm RCMP continue to discourage the public from sending or receiving e-transfers from people you do not know, unless it is money you are willing to lose. We recommend using cash as much as possible, meeting in public places or even your local police detachment parking lot, and ensuring you have received payment in full before handing over any item(s) you are selling, stated media liaison Cst. Andrew Hodges of the Salmon Arm RCMP
