Colchester County District RCMP has charged a man with Fraud and Theft after two reports of scams.
On December 12, 2022, Colchester County District RCMP received a report of a man having been scammed by a 57-year-old Valley man. RCMP officers learned that the victim had paid the suspect over $5,000 for a vehicle that did not exist. The suspect then ceased communication with the victim.
On February 21, 2023, while the first investigation was ongoing, a second victim reported to Colchester County District RCMP that the same suspect had agreed to restore the victim's vehicle. The victim paid the suspect approximately $6,000, and when arrangements were made for the victim to pick up their vehicle, the suspect ceased communication.
On March 11, 2023, RCMP officers safely arrested the suspect at a home in Valley. During the arrest, RCMP officers located and seized evidence from the suspect's person.
Kevin Buchanan, 57, of Valley, has been charged with Fraud over $5,000 (2 counts) and Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Buchanan was released on conditions by a Justice of the Peace and will appear in Truro Provincial Court on May 17, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Investigators believe that there may be other victims throughout Atlantic Canada and are advising anyone who may have been victimized to contact their local police or RCMP Detachment.
The RCMP would also like to remind the public to never send anyone money before you have seen the product you are looking to purchase in person.
File #: 2022-1735256, 2023-237918