Skip to content

Fraudster targets trio of White Rock businesses

‘Very large amount of refunds’ processed on stolen credit-card terminal
27086631_web1_210610-PAN-New-Driver-Impound-rcmp_1
A trio of White Rock businesses were targeted by a fraudster Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. (White Rock RCMP Twitter photo)

White Rock RCMP is investigating a trio of fraud-related files that occurred Thursday (Nov. 4).

Const. Chantal Sears confirmed police believe the incidents – in which credit-card terminals were targeted – were perpetrated by the same individual, however, the suspect has not been identified.

Tapestry Music, located in the 1300-block of Johnston Road, announced Thursday afternoon in a Facebook post that they were among businesses hit.

“Unfortunately, we had someone steal our credit card terminal today and process a very large amount of refunds directly to his card,” the post states, noting two other businesses were also affected.

The post included a series of photos of a dark-haired man with bananas, wearing jeans and a dark-coloured jacket, and asked anyone who recognized the subject to “please call the police and reference police file number 21-6400.”

Comments responding to the post report a similar incident at nearby Grey Haven Games, where a customer “fumbled around” with the credit-card terminal, which produced a receipt “for more than what the transaction should be.”

“When I asked for the receipt he got all huffy and stormed out,” the commenter wrote.

Sears said only three businesses reported incidents, all of which occurred in the city’s downtown core. The other two businesses – neither of which sell bananas, she noted – asked not to be identified publicly.

Anyone with information that could help identify and locate the culprit is asked to call the detachment at 778-545-4800.

READ MORE: Call volume up, but crime down in White Rock: report



tholmes@peacearchnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter www.peacearchnews.com/newsletters


Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
Read more