On Monday November 10, a local transaction for used goods resulted in a 34 year old male being defrauded for $800 and a Macbook Air laptop computer.
After placing an add on a used goods website, the seller was contacted by email by a male wishing to purchase the computer. A price of $800 was negotiated, down from the asking price of $850.
The buyer advised that he would be sending his daughter to pick up the goods, but was not comfortable in sending his daughter with cash. The buyer asked if a bank draft could be used for the purchase and the seller agreed.
The transaction took place and the seller was provided with what appeared, upon first glance, to be a legitimate bank draft in the amount of $800. The buyer was noted to be an Asian female, approximately 5’6 inches tall, approximately 100 pounds. At the time of the transaction, she was wearing a light coloured toque, glasses, and jeans. A possible first name for this female was “Meggi”.
The seller deposited the bank draft and was later advised by his financial institution that the bank draft was not legitimate.
“People selling used items should always make attempts to confirm the method of payment, either by only accepting cash, or by attending to a financial institution to confirm that a method of payment is legitimate” Sgt. Harry Schamhart of the Saanich Police Financial Crimes Section said.
Anyone who may have information about the person involved in this incident, or who may have fallen for the same circumstances, are asked to contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
File 2014-22376
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158