Victims lost $10K to bitcoin scam involving fake police officers, VPD warns

A Bitcoin logo is displayed on an ATM in Hong Kong, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

The Vancouver Police Department says victims have lost thousands of dollars to a scam involving fraudsters posing as bank employes and police officers.

In a warning Friday, the VPD said victims will get a call from someone claiming to be an employee at their bank, telling them there’s suspicious activity on their account. Police say the caller will ask for the victim’s help with an “investigation.”

A second call will then come in that appears to be from the VPD, and a scammer will claim to be a police officer and tell the victim to co-operate with the bank.

When the victim switches back to the “bank” caller, the department says, the fraudster will tell the person money has been deposited into their account and instruct them to buy bitcoin at an ATM for the same amount and send it to them.

The VPD says some victims realize they have been scammed days later and contact the real police.

People have lost about $10,000 to this scam, according to police.

“We want to remind people that no police officer will ever recommend you send money or bitcoin to someone you don’t know,” VPD spokesperson Const. Megan Lui said, in a news release. “A bank will not ask you to help them with an investigation, and they will never ask you to send bitcoin. If you receive a call like this, please hang up and contact your bank directly.”

The VPD asked anyone who has fallen victim to this scam to call them at 604-717-3321.