Police fear a man offering paving services is attempting to scam elderly people in the West Shore area.
West Shore RCMP say man in his 50s walked into the home of a couple on Kingswood Road in Langford Monday afternoon and demanded to be hired to repave their driveway.
The suspect apparently had no tools, no truck and no identification, and looked to be on foot. Const. Mark Haggan said the suspected tried and failed to pressure a 102-year-old man to pay for work then and there.
“What we’ve seen in the past is they would take a container of black paint and make a coat on the driveway to make it look like it’s paved,” Haggan said. “They try to take advantage of old folks.”
Haggan said a community group has reported recent similar incidents, where an aggressive and suspicious man will try to sell paving services to senior citizens.
“This could spread if he’s seen any success,” he said. “Anyone offering to do paving will have a business license, will have tools and equipment. Anyone who has concerns should call the police.”
The suspect is described as a man in his mid-50s, with blonde hair in a ponytail and a small, skinny build. At the time of Monday’s incident he was wearing a straw hat and a dark coloured backpack.
Similar scams targeting the elderly have involved offers to reshingle a roof, where the shingles are painted black to appear new.
“These guys are definitely trying to take advantage of elderly people,” Haggan said. “It is despicable. Call the police if you feel it’s not legitimate, or you are threatened or pressured. A legitimate business will not push their clients.”
Anyone with information on this incident or other suspected scams can call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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