West Shore RCMP look to identify ‘quick change’ fraud suspect

Police shared this photo of the suspect they're hoping to identify. (West Shore RCMP)

Mounties on Vancouver Island are asking the public for help identifying a fraud suspect.

West Shore RCMP shared a photo of the man they allege committed a “quick change” fraud at a business in Langford on Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. in the 800 block of Langford Parkway, the detachment said in a news release Wednesday.

“A ‘quick change’ fraud is when a suspect confuses the cashier into giving back more money than they were given for the purchase,” the release reads.

“Typically, the fraudster pays for a low-cost item with a high denomination bill. While the cashier is making the change, the fraudster quickly asks the cashier for different denominations or presents more money and confuses the cashier into handing back more cash.”

Police described the suspect in this case as a “dark-skinned” man in his 40s with a slim build and black hair with a receding hairline.

He was wearing a black jacket over a white hoodie, as well as dark jeans and black shoes, police said.

“A similar fraud involving the same suspect was also reported in Sidney earlier in November,” police added.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect should call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477, police said.