PARKSVILLE — Oceanside scammers have been caught using fake food vouchers at local grocery stores, illegally replicated from a local charity.
In early April, Oceanside RCMP were contacted by the unnamed non-profit organization, who said someone was reproducing their grocery vouchers meant for those in need and using them at local stores, making off with $3,600 in merchandise.
Sgt. Shane Worth told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re working with the non-profit group and loss prevention staff from the affected grocery stores to track down suspects.
“People are out there taking advantage of a great service and trying to manipulate it and obtain more goods through fraud. We’re actively investigating it, and hopefully we will identify the suspects and track them down.”
Worth couldn’t say exactly how the vouchers were being reproduced, nor could he name the affected grocery stores, but said there are multiple.
He added they’ve been able to get receipts for the fraudulently purchased items as they work backward to identify possible suspects in their ongoing investigation.
“With the receipts that we have that we’re married up with the vouchers, we can easily go back and marry that up with the video time, and get that video and identify the suspects.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111.
Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.
Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook
