Saanich Police Department is investigating an incident of fraud that took place in a parking lot after two suspects sold an individual a box of heavy cement blocks instead of a home theatre projection unit.
According to police, the incident took place on June 23, in a parking located in the 3900-block of Shelbourne Street.
The two suspects negotiated a deal with the individual to sell a projector, speakers, and a theatre screen, all of which were packaged in what appeared to be original condition.
Police say that a price was negotiated with the buyer, who paid in cash to complete the transaction.
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According to a police report, the buyer took the items home and opened the boxes to find that the contents were not as advertised. The speakers were described as “old and defective,” the projector was outdated and one of the boxes contained heavy cement blocks.
“While the sale of the items was not criminal, the false claims about the merchandise were and constitute a criminal charge of fraud,” reads a statement from Saanich PD.
Police say that the suspects operated out of a van that was tracked back to a rental company from the Lower Mainland.
This isn’t the first time an incident like this has happened, Saanich PD notes, saying a similar one took place in the same parking lot back in March. The suspects in the previous incident remain outstanding.
Police are advising that buyers inspect contents prior to purchase, walk away if the seller gets aggressive or if the price is too good to be true, be wary of cash deals that avoid the sales tax and purchase electronics from a reputable electronics store.
Saanich PD says anyone who has purchased counterfeit electronics items or is looking to report a suspicious seller can call Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321.
Speakers exchanged in the fraudulent sale of a home theatre unit. (Saanich PD)
Graham Cox
