Help RCMP identify suspect in “quick change” scam

January 19, 2021
Kings County, Nova Scotia

News release

Images

Photo of suspect
Photo of suspect

Kings District RCMP are asking the public for help identifying a man who has been using a "quick change" scam on cashiers at businesses in Kings County.

A "quick change scam" is when a scammer buys an inexpensive item and pays for it with a large bill (for example, buying something that costs five dollars and paying for it with a fifty-dollar-bill). As the cashier is making change, the scammer tries to confuse the cashier by asking to exchange the bills of smaller denominations for larger ones (for example, asking for ten dollar bill as change instead of two five dollar bills). As a result of the various requests, the cashier ends up giving too much change to the suspect.

Kings District RCMP are investigating several of these incidents on January 1, January 14 and January 15:

· on January 1 at approximately 8:10 p.m. at a gas bar on Main St. in Kingston

· on January 14 at approximately 3 p.m. at a restaurant on Central Ave. in Greenwood

· on January 15 at a restaurant on Commercial St. in New Minas.

Surveillance video shows what appears to be a male suspect. On January 1, he is seen in security footage wearing dark denim jeans, a black hoody, black jacket and black shoes with white soles. On January 15, he was seen wearing a black non-medical mask, black hat, black jacket, and black shoes with white soles. He has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the RCMP at 902-679-5555 in New Minas or 902-765-3317 in Kingston. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File number: 20214134, 202165171, 202170677

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Contact information

Cst. Jeff W. Wilson
RCMP Kings District
Public Information Officer
Kingston Office
jeff.wilson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
office: 902-765-3317
cell: 902-680-5113

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