Poker scam hits Victoria

Local man drawn into phoney game

An elaborate scam involving a phoney poker game has targeted at least one local tradesman and Victoria police suspect there might be more victims.

The tradesman was contacted by someone saying their company had a big project and he was asked to meet and discuss working on it, said Det. Rick Anthony.

The meeting was set up in a conference room, similar to frauds elsewhere in Canada, when phoney meetings are usually held in a hotel or business centre, Anthony said.

"He's invited into the meeting room and there's a series of guys there and he's told the head guy is running late and to just sit and relax," he said.

The other people, dressed in business suits, are playing poker for sugar packets or toothpicks and the newcomer is invited to join them.

In this case, the man declined, but, after being told Mr. X was running an hour late, he was "given" the cards of one of the men who went to the washroom.

By this time, the toothpicks had disappeared and $100 bills were on the table.

The first hand "given" to the newcomer was rigged to win and he was then pulled into the game in which several hands were played quickly. Then came a phone call saying the meeting would have to be rescheduled, and the group turned to the tradesman and told him he owed at least $2,500.

"There is a degree of intimidation," Anthony said.

In the case reported to police, the man said he did not have the cash on him and told the "winner" to come to his office to collect a cheque.

By this time, he had already decided he had been scammed and when the "winner" arrived at his office, he refused to pay.

The man drove off quickly and the intended victim noted the licence plate of the vehicle, but, so far, the scam artists have not been identified, Anthony said.

"It's a very slick operation and we have no suspects," he said.

Four people were involved and it is probable others have been scammed but are too embarrassed to come forward, Anthony said.

A similar scam ran in Edmonton five years ago and some high-profile business people were targeted by the con artists, Anthony said. Police would like to hear from anyone else who has been scammed.

Times colomnist

News Added: 09 December, 2008

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