The B.C. RCMP, British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC), Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and municipal police are warning the public about an emerging trend of fraudsters using social media and online dating sites to lure B.C. residents into crypto-asset scams.In the first eight months of 2021, British Columbians reported losses of $3.5 million from crypto investment scams – more than triple the amount lost last year, which was just over $1 million, according to CAFC data. On average, only five per cent of fraud victims report such incidents to authorities. Fraudsters are adapting the

Surrey RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance with locating a missing couple.On October 31, 2021, Matthew Sawatzky and Janaye Sawatzky (née Sears) were reported missing. They were last seen at a residence in the 14500 block of 67A Avenue around 9:00 a.m. the same day. Family and police have been unable to make contact with Matthew or Janaye and are very concerned for their wellbeing as this is out of character.Matthew Sawatzky is described as a 23-year-old Caucasian man, 5’10, 170lbs, with brown hair, hazel eyes and a beard.Janaye Sawatzky is described as a 22-year-old Caucasian woman

A team from the Transportation Safety Board has been assigned to investigate the fire that destroyed containers aboard a freighter now moored off the south coast of Vancouver Island. A statement from the board says the team will "gather information and assess the occurrence" aboard the MV Zim Kingston. The fire was reported in a row of containers stacked on the deck of the ship shortly after the vessel was caught in a severe storm on Oct. 22, near the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait. That storm also swept 109 other containers into the ocean, where most are still missing, and the few that washe

The organization that represents 16 First Nations in central Alberta says it does not support the idea of the province replacingthe R-C-M-P with a provincial police force.The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations says proper consultations have not been done with its members about theproposal.Last week, the province released the Alberta Provincial Police Service Transition Study that found switching to a provincial policeservice would be costly, but could be more effective over time.Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais says if there is going to be a different police force, the confederacy would like i

An Alberta man charged with the first-degree murder of a family doctor at a medical clinic in Red Deer has died.Deng Mabiour (MAW'-bee-OR') was to stand trial on November 22nd in the death of Dr. Walter Reynolds. Reynolds, a 45-year-old father of two, was killed at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic on August 10th, 2020.Lawyer Jason Snider, who was appointed as a friend of the court to help Mabiour, who intended to represent himself, says he died atCalgary's Foothills hospital.

The R-C-M-P has released details of a large seizure of contraband tobacco products in central Alberta.Mounties say that in August officers searched three properties in Red Deer, Lacombe County and Morningside and found illegalcigarettes worth more than one-million dollars.Police say the investigation revealed the smokes were being distributed for sale around the province.Chrys Tremblay of Red Deer has been charged with selling contraband tobacco under the Criminal Code and other offences.

Erin O'Toole insists the Conservative caucus is united behind his leadership.But can he be as confident about the party's grassroots? The reaction from a handful of third-party organizations, which represent swaths of the Conservative faithful, suggests the answer is likely a no."If they keep throwing their base under the bus, there's not going to be anyone on the bus," said Sheldon Clare, president and CEO of the National Firearms Association, adding that he remains a Conservative member for "right now."What path the Conservatives decide to tread next as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enters h

B.C. is reporting 406 new cases of COVID-19, including 10 epi-linked cases, for a total of 206,690 cases in the province.There are 4,694 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 199,480 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 445 individuals are in hospital and 137 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, five new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,186.The new deaths include:Interior Health: oneNorthern Health: fourThere have been two new health-care facility outbreaks at Royal Inla

Metro Vancouver Transit Police have arrested two suspects who allegedly attacked a woman following a dispute over masks onboard a SkyTrain.As was reported by Transit Police, on September 20, 2021, a woman was onboard a SkyTrain travelling through Burnaby when she noticed that a man and a woman were sitting close to her, not wearing masks. The woman asked them if they had masks to wear, to which they replied with "What’s it to you?" The female suspect then allegedly struck the woman without provocation and with so much force that she fell to the ground. Both suspects then allegedly hit the vi