PQB resident bilked out of $40K online via AI-generated politician ad
Published 5:35 am Wednesday, June 10, 2026
A Parksville Qualicum Beach resident was bilked out of $40,000 after falling victim to a bogus online advertisement.
An Oceanside RCMP report indicated on May 7, the resident was scammed after following an artificial intelligence-generated politician online advertisement for an alleged crypto currency company.
The same day, another resident was scammed out of more than $7,000 by clicking on a hyperlink in an email alleging to be
from a government agency, allowing remote access to their computer.
During the period of May 4 to May 10, the Oceanside RCMP received 277 complaints. Some of the other incidents included:
On May 4, a driver’s side bus mirror was reported stolen from a vehicle while parked in the 100 block of Jensen Avenue East in Parksville. The same day, a residential break-and-enter was reported with a number of iPhone 17s and iPads and computers noted missing in the 1000 block of Seacrest Place in Qualicum Beach.
A bicycle was reported stolen in the area of Morison Avenue and Lombardy Street in Parksville on May 6. It was recovered by Oceanside RCMP later that day.
On May 7, a grey 2007 Zodiac Freerider, attached to a moored sailboat, was reported stolen from a marina in the 1000 block of Lee Road in Parksville. One day later, a business break-and-enter was reported with entrance gained through a damaged
fence in the 900 block of Chatsworth Road in Qualicum Beach.
Also May 8, a resident reported being defrauded out of $3,200 by a contractor who received funds to purchase a shed but did not deliver, and nothing was in writing. On May 9, a vehicle was reported vandalized with paint scratches on three surfaces in the 600 block of Memorial Avenue in Qialicum Beach. The same day, a female was reported trespassing at night and lighting a fire in a closed area of Rathtrevor Provincial Park.
If you see a crime in progress phone 911. The Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number is 250-248-6111 and the detachment is located at 421 Pym Street North, Parksville, with public business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays. Presentations to groups on fraud and scam preventions are also available.
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