Over a four-month period in 2021, from March to June, Bruce William Woods defrauded 16 victims of over $16,000. Operating under the name C.B. Contracting and Labour, Mr. Woods advertised custom-built cedar wood sheds and planter boxes on Facebook Marketplace. His victims connected with him through the platform, contracted his services, and paid deposits. However, Mr. Woods never completed the work, consistently provided excuses as to why he couldn’t, and failed to return the deposits.
On November 2, 2022, Bruce William Woods was arrested for fraud. He was convicted on September 23, 2024 of 16 counts of fraud under $5000. On October 4, 2024, he was sentenced to a six-month conditional sentence, two years probation, and ordered to repay his victims.Â
When planning to hire a contractor it is important to do your research. Checking a company’s standing with the Better Business Bureau is one way to determine if the person you are putting your trust in, and your money, is worth the investment. You should also avoid paying in advance for services and whenever possible use a credit card or PayPal for added security.
If you have become a victim of fraud, regardless of the amount, please report it to the police. Your report may be the key to discovering a series of frauds that help us catch the perpetrator.
To report a fraud to the Saanich Police, call 250-475-4321.
File No. 21-12694
Jason Hallman | Communications Advisor