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Grande Prairie RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the individual who is now in possession of a black, 1997 BMW Z3 that was purchased during the month of August 2024 in the Grande Prairie area.
The vehicle was advertised through a social media sales platform. Following an investigation into a report of a stolen vehicle, RCMP believe that the individual who purchased this vehicle is unknowingly the victim of fraud.
The RCMP would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to follow some simple safety tips to protect yourself from online fraud when shopping online or through social media platforms.
- Know the market value of the product you are looking for.
- Locate and verify the sellers contact information (address, phone number, email) before you buy.
- Look for customer reviews and ratings from third-party sources.
- Use a payment method with fraud protection, such as your credit card.
- Pick-up items and provide the payment in person, whenever possible.
- Review all email information to make sure they are coming from a legitimate source.
- Never transfer funds in order to receive a payment for an item you're selling.
- Do your research and use reputable websites to purchase VIN reports.
- Do an online search to see if anyone has already reported the fraudulent buyer or seller.
If you have any information about this incident, please call the Grande Prairie RCMP at 780-830-5701. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers.