Urgent Alert: Two B.C. Animal Charities Targeted by Scammer

UPDATE: Two more animal charities in British Columbia are sounding the alarm after being targeted by a sophisticated scammer posing as a wealthy donor. This troubling trend follows a similar incident involving a Richmond charity that lost thousands before realizing they were victims of fraud.

Diane Marsh, co-founder of the Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary in Langley, was overjoyed last month when a woman identifying herself as “Pamela Pear” contacted her, claiming she wanted to donate $25,000 from her deceased partner’s estate. “It was exciting to think somebody would care that much,” Marsh expressed in disbelief. However, the excitement quickly turned to panic when a cheque arrived—not for $25,000, but for $95,000.

When Marsh attempted to deposit the cheque, an alert bank teller flagged it as suspicious. Key red flags included a lawyer’s letter lacking proper letterhead, a personal Hotmail email address, and an unverified lawyer. “I’ve got my phone out, I’m Googling the lawyer—he doesn’t exist,” Marsh stated, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster.

After realizing the scam, Marsh reported the incident to the RCMP and reached out to other sanctuaries. Her first call was to SAINTS Rescue in Mission, where board director Sheila Kullar confirmed they received a similar cheque on the same day. “I had alarm bells early in my correspondence with the scammer,” Kullar said, noting that initial communication errors seemed possible due to the supposed age of the donor.

Officials confirmed that if Marsh had successfully cashed the cheque, the scammer would likely have demanded the return of the excess funds, claiming it was a mistake. When the fake cheque bounced, the charity would have faced severe financial repercussions. This tactic mirrors the recent experience of Richmond’s Regional Animal Protection Society, which also fell victim to the same scheme.

All three charities are now on a mission to warn others in their community about the scam. “What kind of mentality do they have to cheat a charity that’s trying to do good work?” Marsh questioned. “They should be in jail.”

The urgency of this warning cannot be overstated. Charities, especially those reliant on donations, are particularly vulnerable to such scams. As these organizations continue their vital work caring for animals in need, the threat of fraud looms large.

As more details emerge, animal charities across the region are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious communications. The community must unite to protect its charitable organizations from these malicious schemes.

For anyone involved in animal welfare or charity work, this is a critical reminder to scrutinize donations closely and verify sources before acting. Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue their investigation into these alarming scams.