Another scam is making its way through some communities and Sandi McCreight , coordinator with the Community Response Network (CRN) in Castlegar, is warning people about women's gifting circles.
A release from the CRN states women are invited into a network (circle) to establish connections, find support, etc.
Then, they are asked to be part of an opportunity to invest money with the promise of large returns.
These circles can go by various names including Women Gifting Women, Women Blessing Women and Circle of Friends.
People can be duped because the invitations often come from trusted sources who are not aware they are participating in a pyramid scheme, with money from new "investors" being used to fund payouts to others.
A quote from RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew included with a release from the CRN, perhaps said it best: “Don’t send money to people you don’t know. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”
For more on this and other fraudulent activities, visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca or call the Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721.