A fraudster has been preying on the kindness of North Vancouver good Samaritans.
RCMP report that a man has been approaching drivers and pleading to get a ride to one of the North Shore's car impound lots, claiming his car has been towed. He then uses the ride to guilt the driver into handing over money to get his car out of impound.
"It's playing on people's emotions - a sob story on why his car was impounded, that he has no money and that he's down on his luck," said Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. "He's aggressive enough that he gets people to allow him into their vehicle, and drive him to where his alleged vehicle is and after they give him a fair amount of cash he gets out and walks away. It's pretty bold."
While only two recent known cases of the scam have come in, police suspect there are more incidents that have gone unreported.
But, De Jong added, any new information could help lead to an arrest.
The man is described as white, about 50 years old, and six feet tall. He was last seen wearing a black or blue jacket and carrying a large backpack.
Anyone who may have been approached or solicited by the suspect is asked to contact Sgt. Philip Yong, district response sergeant, at 604969-7549. - Brent Richter
