Penticton retailer Marla Truman issued a warning on social media earlier this week after she says a man attempted to scam her for a second time.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
May 18, 2018 - 2:05 PM
PENTICTON - A Penticton merchant is warning of a scam being perpetrated in the city.
Marla Truman says she issued a warning on social media after a man came into her Winemaster shop in Apple Plaza in Penticton a few weeks ago, complaining his dog had been locked in his car but the tow truck operator refused to unlock the door because he had left his wallet at home and couldn’t pay.
“The man asks to use the phone, makes a bogus call and plays up his situation for the merchant he’s borrowed the phone from. Then he hangs up and asks to borrow a sum of money, offering to leave a shiny looking watch as collateral,” Truman says.
She describes the suspect as a man in his mid-60s, dishevelled looking, 5'9" tall with short hair and carrying a few extra pounds.
“He’s usually wearing a suit jacket, and always claims the vehicle isn’t nearby. He actually tried this on me last year as well, which makes me think he is local,” she says.
Truman says since posting the warning, several people have commented they’ve also have possibly encountered the same scammer, with one person claiming to have lost $30, another $50 and one person claims they lost $100.
She says the man must have done some homework, as he called her by her first name when he attempted the scam most recently.
Penticton RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says police have received two complaints about the scam and are currently investigating. He says in one instance video evidence may have been obtained.
— This story was updated at 3 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2018 to include information from the Penticton RCMP.
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