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Restaurant Delivery Scam

Jan 25, 2018 | 12:48 PM

Mounties in Kelowna want to hear from restaurant owners who may have been defrauded by a smooth talking scam artist.

Police say there’s been multiple incidents where a suspect places a food order to be delivered, and arranges to have the delivery driver meet at alternate locations.

When the suspect has to pay for the food, he used a credit or debit card which is declined or produces a security alert message, but he is able to convince the delivery person  to leave the food on a promise that a family member will attend the restaurant and pay the bill.

“Of course, the scam artists spouse never shows up to the restaurant to cover the cost of the food delivered and staff are unable to reach the suspect,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “RCMP are very interested in hearing from any other local business who may have fallen victim to a similar scam.”

Some restaurants say they have been scammed out of 60 to 100 dollars worth of food, and police are looking to talk to any other businesses victimized this way.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact Cst. Apollonia de Jong of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 and cite police file number 2018-134.