Durham police fraud Investigators are asking members of the public to be mindful of a recent increase in distraction thefts in Durham Region.
Over the past two months, investigators have seen an increase in distraction thefts. These are not new, but with pandemic restrictions easing up, more victims are out shopping. In a few incidents, the fraudsters would approach an unsuspecting victim and tell them that their vehicle is leaking oil. Once the victim is distracted, the suspects would steal their purse or wallets. The fraudsters usually target their victims by following them in a parking lot and distracting them in order to take their property, said a police advisory.
Another tactic that investigators have seen in the past is the fraudsters approach their victims in malls or shopping plazas and offering jewelry for sale. When they try to place the jewelry on the victim to size the jewelry, they actually take chains or rings from the victims, it said.
In most cases seniors are being targeted; however fraudsters are also targeting all demographics, it added.
Investigators ask members of the community to be mindful of their surroundings at all times and always protect your valuables. Fraudsters can be persuasive and if someone appears suspicious, don’t engage them in conversation.
The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) reminded the public to be vigilant of their personal safety in all surroundings.
Anyone with information about this type of incident is asked to call DRPS at 1-888-579-1520.
In one of the cases, the suspects were shoulder surfing the victim while she paid for her items in a store on Kingston Road in Pickering. Once the victim went to her vehicle, she was approached by a suspect who advised her that her vehicle is leaking oil. Once the victim was distracted, the victims purse was taken.
Suspect #1 male, white, 30-40 years, dark hair, glasses, slim build
Suspect #2 male, white, 30-40 years
Suspect #3 male, white, 40-50 years, large build