West Vancouver police are warning seniors to watch out for a scam that is demanding its targets pay a fine for illegally downloading pornography.
Police have spoken to more than 14 seniors who have received letters from a company called Artisan International indicating that their illegal file sharing activities have been monitored over the past year and will be brought up in B.C. Small Claims Court unless a $3,000 fee is paid.
The elaborate letter goes on to list some of the videos viewed, using examples like Real Big Boobs 2 and Rammin the Rear Gate 5, and states that infringement of such copyrighted material is a civil and possibly even a criminal offence. To avoid having legal action taken against them, recipients are advised to send a cheque or money order to 205 1425 Marine Drive, West Vancouver.
The address is a rental mailbox, according to Cpl. Jag Johal, a spokesman for the department.
We have checked it out. . . . Investigators are working on leads to establish the identity of the individuals responsible, he said.
Anyone who has received a letter should come forward, especially those who may have paid the fine, added Johal.
I havent heard that anybody has been victimized but sometimes people are embarrassed to come forward, he said.
We need to hear from those people, because that will solidify the charges against the individual.
Anyone who has received the letter or has more information about it can contact the West Vancouver police at 604-925-7300 and quote file number 11-11341.
mkrishnan@nsnews.com
