An Oak Bay man was the victim of a scam involving Steam gift cards after a friend’s email was hacked, according to police.
Oak Bay Police say they were notified of the incident on January 14th. The complainant said he had been emailed by an old friend requesting a favour.
The email said the friend needed to buy his nephew $200 in Steam gift cards but was having trouble buying them online. It went on to say that the friend had been told by his doctor not to leave his house.
The email asked the complainant to go to the store to purchase the cards. He was then instructed to send each card’s number and code to a new email address.
When the complainant sent two $50 card numbers and codes they bounced back by email. It was then that he believed he was being scammed.
The complainant confirmed with their friend that the friend’s email had been hacked.
Oak Bay police say the incident is a reminder to call and double-check with anyone sending an email asking you to buy gift cards or other items.
