THE RCMP said on Friday they would like to make the public aware of a debit and credit card scam involving a fraudulent taxi that has occurred in Burnaby.

On Tuesday, December 3, a black Hyundai Elantra with a taxi sign on the roof approached several people on campus at SFU, claiming a passenger inside the vehicle could not pay their cab fare and asking for assistance covering the amount.

When the victims agreed to help and handed over their debit or credit cards to pay the stranger’s fare, their cards were covertly switched by the vehicle’s occupants. In some cases, fraudulent purchases and withdrawals were then made on the victims’ real cards.

Burnaby RCMP said they were aware of four victims but would urge anyone else who was approached, victimized, or who may have seen the vehicle in Burnaby to contact them at 604-646-9999 and quote file 24-41756.

“We are releasing an image of the vehicle in hopes of furthering this investigation, which is being led by our Economic Crime Unit,” said Cpl. Laura Hirst with Burnaby RCMP. “We would like the public to be aware of this scam and to take a close look at the taxi sign on top of the vehicle, as it could easily be swapped onto another vehicle.”

Both suspects are men and are described as being in their early twenties.

“If you are approached by a similar vehicle or with a similar story, do not hand over any money or bank cards, and call police right away,” Hirst said.

Burnaby RCMP investigators are working to determine if there are any linkages to similar incidents reported in other jurisdictions.