Burnaby RCMP issuing warning about bank card scam involving fraudulent taxi

Burnaby

2024-12-06 09:58 PST

File # 2024-41756

The Burnaby RCMP would like to make the public aware of a debit and credit card scam involving a fraudulent taxi that has occurred in Burnaby.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, a black Hyundai Elantra with a taxi sign on the roof approached several people on campus at SFU, claiming a passenger inside the vehicle could not pay their cab fare and asking for assistance covering the amount.

When the victims agreed to help and handed over their debit or credit cards to pay the stranger’s fare, their cards were covertly swapped out by the vehicle’s occupants. In some cases, fraudulent purchases and withdrawals were then made on the victims’ real cards.

Burnaby RCMP is aware of four victims but would urge anyone else who was approached, victimized, or who may have seen the vehicle in Burnaby to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. Please quote file 24-41756.

We are releasing an image of the vehicle in hopes of furthering this investigation, which is being led by our Economic Crime Unit, said Cpl. Laura Hirst with the Burnaby RCMP. We would like the public to be aware of this scam and to take a close look at the taxi sign on top of the vehicle, as it could easily be swapped onto another vehicle.

Both suspects are men and are described as being in their early twenties.

If you are approached by a similar vehicle or with a similar story, do not hand over any money or bank cards, and call police right away, Cpl. Hirst added.

Burnaby RCMP investigators are working to determine if there are any linkages to similar incidents reported in other jurisdictions.

A black sedan with a yellow and white taxi sign on its roof outside A closeup image of a yellow and white taxi sign on top of a dark vehicle’s roof