B.C. crime news: Bitcoin extortion scam making the rounds in Metro Vancouver | Arsonist destroys Red Bridge in Kamloops, RCMP say

Here's a roundup of B.C. crime news on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

Published Sep 20, 2024  •  2 minute read

Police in Surrey, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and North Vancouver have received more than three dozen complaints from victims of a bitcoin extortion scam. Photo by Getty Images

Bitcoin extortion scam making the rounds in Metro Vancouver

Police in Metro Vancouver have received more than three dozen reports from victims who have been targeted by a bitcoin extortion scam, said Mounties.

At least three municipalities — North Vancouver, Maple Ridge and Surrey — are sounding the alarm about the scam, which appears to be making the rounds in the region.

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On Friday, Surrey RCMP said it has received 29 reports about the scam over three days.

The scam starts with fraudsters sending an email to a victim saying they have hacked the victim’s computer and have recorded them masturbating after accessing pornographic sites.

The scammers threaten to release the image to the victim’s family and friends if the victim does not pay $2,000 via bitcoin wallet.

They would provide a photo of the victim’s house, name, date of birth and, in some cases, other personal information, such as a social insurance number or a password, to prove they know the victim’s identity or have hacked into the victim’s computer. 

In these cases, police say the information was likely obtained in a previous data breach and not because the victim’s computer was hacked. 

None of the victims who contacted police gave the fraudsters money, said Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha of Surrey RCMP.

“We want the community to be vigilant and call police if they receive this type of emails, texts or calls,” she said. 

On Wednesday, North Vancouver issued a warning for residents after receiving four reports over a two-day span. On Thursday, Ridge Meadows RCMP said it received five reports over three days.

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Both police detachments said the victims did not comply with the demands.

Arsonist destroys historic bridge in Kamloops, RCMP say

Police in Kamloops say they have launched an arson investigation into the fire that destroyed the 88-year-old Red Bridge across the South Thompson River.

RCMP say in a statement that the blaze started early Thursday morning and by the time fire crews and police arrived, the bridge was fully engulfed in flames.

While firefighters did try to douse the flames, police say the 365-metre-long wooden-truss bridge collapsed into the river.

A statement from RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelly says the investigation is still in its early stages, but police are treating the fire as arson.

Thursday’s fire was the second at the bridge in as many days, and police say a possible link to the two is also part of their investigation.

The bridge connected the City of Kamloops with a Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation reserve and an industrial park across the South Thompson River. According to the City of Kamloops, the bridge was an important cultural site signifying the ties between the two communities.

There are several other bridges connecting the communities on either side of the river.

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