Fake ID used at Duncan Future Shop prompts fraud warning
Fraudulent use of identification at the Duncan Future Shop store has Cowichan police warning businesses not to fall victim to the fake-ID scam.
Mounties say the incident, which occurred early Sunday evening, could possibly be connected to a larger organized crime scam from the Lower Mainland.
"Two males of Asian descent attempted to use fake identification to buy cellphones," North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cpl. Kevin Day explained.
"Both a British Columbia driver's licence and a Social Insurance Number card in the name of a male from Richmond were used fraudulently by one of the males. Both males were described as being thin, of Asian descent, with short black hair and between 20 and 25 years old."
Store staff were suspicious because the SIN card appeared fake — there was no area to sign a name on the back — and the signature on the driver's licence did not match. The identification was seized and both men left the store.
The Cowichan Community Policing Society has responded by activating a business fan-out to spread information about the scam, and prevent other businesses from falling victim to it.
The scam sees a new cellphone account set up with stolen or fake ID, with an innocent person getting a bill months after the fact.
Businesses in these situations are reminded to check other forms of identification, and examine the ID to see if it has been altered in any way, or if the signature is smeared, which can indicate a stolen card.
Anyone with information regarding this scam is asked to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.