Special Local News Report as told to the paper by Mr. K of Coquitlam
On Friday, December 20, 2019 at 6 pm in the area of North Road and Gatineau Street, Coquitlam, a Mr. K (to respect his privacy, but he has filed a police report) was walking toward Lougheed Skytrain Station in the rain.
A man called to him sadly yelling “hello, hello brother, brother.”
The man had pulled his blue SUV to the side road and was animatedly calling Mr. K over to the vehicle. The driver looked to be 28- 35 of age, well dressed in a blue suit with young girl about age 3 in front seat with him. A woman around 25 years old sat in the back with two other young kids.
The man introduced himself as Mohammed. He pleaded hopelessly and repeatedly for help to pay for gas and to feed the kids as the where driving from Alberta to Ottawa and had run out of money.
He said he need help for hotel and food if Mr. K can help. Also, presumed wife in the backseat keep saying please help us please us.
Mr. K felt sorry for the group as he surveyed the situation and felt great sympathy for the children in particular. He decided to assist the family with compassion toward the kids and due to his own immigrant background.
Mr. K went to a nearby RBC ATM and withdrew $360 to give to the family and said, “This will help for hotel and to feed the kids.”
Mohamed removed two rings from his hands, a necklace, a chain bracelet and what he said was his Rolex watch. The wife threw a necklace into the front seat.
Mr. K refused the jewellery and told them he helped because of the kids and that as a parent he understands their difficulty.
Mohamed insisted he keep the jewellery and took back the watch. He then said he was a car salesman and he was originally from Dubai and he thanked Mr. K for the help.
Mr. K returned home. Curious and now suspicious of the scene he experienced. He researched online and uncovered stories just like this incident in local news press of the City of Chilliwack. Many people were scammed the same way.
The Afro News is sharing this story as told to the paper by Mr. K not only as a news item but to add the warming that this person is a professional scammer amongst us and is preying on our local population using this same tactic repeatedly.
He has scammed people by playing on their sympathies with his story and the addition of the alleged wife and children in the car and layering on greed and dishonesty.
Keep your eyes open for anyone approaching you asking for your help in this similar manner and story. Walk away. Take a photo if you can and call the local police.
Be alert and protect yourself at any time, but especially at this time of the year where people seem even more vulnerable to cries of help needed.
Share this story to educate others.
DESCRIPTION:
A Middle Eastern male, early 30’s, called himself Mohammed. Well-groomed with short black hair and full beard trimmed closely. Tattoo on the left arm. Wearing lots of jewellery and his presumed young wife also Middle Eastern. In this instance there were 3 young girls in the dark blue SUV they were driving.
The story and the jewellery are entirely fake and of no value. They find their targets at gas station, mall parking lots and along side roads.
