The Oak Bay Police Department responded to 79 calls for service this week.
Fraud
On June 11, 2024, the Oak Bay Police received a report of a fraud. The complainant advised they saw a posting on Facebook that one of their friends were selling 4 Taylor Swift tickets for $2400. The complainant purchased the tickets through an e-transfer for $2400. Shortly after sending the e-transfer the complainant received obvious fake tickets. The friend contacted the complainant and advised their Facebook account had been hacked and messages were sent to all their friends trying to sell the tickets. The file was referred to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. (OB File 24-1445)
Later that same day, the Oak Bay Police received a second call of a fraud. The complainant advised they saw their friend was selling Taylor Swift tickets for $500 each. The complainant agreed to buy 4 tickets and e-transferred $2000. The seller then advised there was a surcharge of $400 to transfer the tickets and requested more money. The complainant sent the $400 through an e-transfer and then became concerned they were being scammed. The complainant called their friend and confirmed it was a scam. The friend advised their Facebook account had been hacked (OB File 24-1452).
These matters are still under investigation. The same “hacked” Facebook profile had been used in both reports of fraud to Oak Bay Police. The “Swifty Swindel”, similar to the frauds reported to Oak Bay Police this past week, have been reported in several other police jurisdictions over the past few weeks.
Excessive Speed
On June 14, 2024, at 1:46 am, the Oak Bay Police were on patrol on Foul Bay Rd near Lansdowne Rd. The area of Foul Bay Rd is a 50km/h zone. Police observed a Southbound vehicle that was driving extremely fast. A Laser speed device was used, and it displayed a speed of 121km/h. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as 16-year-old teenage male with a Class 7 learner’s driver’s licence. The vehicle also had 3 other occupants. Police also observed an open container of cannabis in the vehicle. The teenager was issued Violation tickets for Excessive Speed S. 148(1) MVA $483, Drive Contrary to Restrictions – too many passengers S. 25(15) MVA $109, Operate Motor Vehicle with Cannabis in it S. 81(1)(b) CCLA $230 and Fail to Display L S. 30.10(2) MVAR and the vehicle was towed and impounded for 7 days. Police spoke to the registered owner, and it was discovered that the owner’s son was in the vehicle, but not the driver. The owner advised they would follow up with their son. (OB File 24-1477)
If you have information regarding these or any other crimes in Oak Bay, please phone the police department at 250-592-2424 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
