Online thieves target NRRM residents

Online thieves are targeting residents of the NRRM. Over the last couple of weeks Northern Rockies RCMP have received several calls from local residents advising they have received a pop-up message on their computer advising them they are under investigation by the RCMP for copyright infringement. The message further threatens that if the user does not pay a $100 penalty they will be subject to criminal proceedings. Computer users who have received this message have also advised police that after receiving this message their computer suddenly locked up on them, preventing them from using their computer.
This is a computer scam to steal your money.  Ignore it and do not send any money. If you receive a message like this, report it to the Northern Rockies RCMP and then call and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at
1 (888) 495-8501.
There are some very simple computer security tips to avoid becoming a victim of this type of criminal activity:
• Do not automatically open e-mail or attachments, even those from sources you know and trust. Scan each attached file from an e-mail or Instant (IM) Message. Your personal computer security software should perform this function for you.
• Install only professionally recognised anti-virus software that updates automatically.
• Install a firewall program to screen out computer hackers, viruses and worms that can infect your computer through the internet. When using your computer at home make sure your firewall protection has been activated before using the computer.
• Only give out your personal information over an encrypted website. To confirm if the website is encrypted look for https at the beginning of the address, (the [s] is for secure). Ensure not just the sign in page is encrypted, search for the https on each page of the site to ensure the entire site or program is encrypted if you are providing them with your personal information.
• Set up e-mail filters to delete spam messages unopened. Do not open or respond to spam messages.
• Keep your web browser current and updated with the latest privacy settings and pop-up blockers.
• Back up your files. Copy all your important files and information onto a removable disc or device and store it in a safe place. This way if your computer is compromised you will still have access to your files and other important information.
• Protect your passwords. Change them frequently, quarterly is recommended. Eight characters or more. Memorise your passward, do not write it down, and use a different password for each computer system you use. Consider using a computer password management system.

Know who you are dealing with online, check out the businesses or companies you are dealing with, giving your money or personal information to online. Check with the BBB, do some online research and detective work of your own, go online and type the product or company name into a common search engine using terms such as review, complaints or scams and see what information you receive, good or bad, then make the decision if you wish to continue doing business with this company or business.
Common Sense, is the most important tool you can use when using a computer, if it seems suspicious, looks or sounds to good to be true, it probably is, it’s most likely a scam targeting your money and or your personal information. Get a second opinion before proceeding to d business with an unknown company, person or opening an unknown Instant Message, email, attachment or other strange link that appears on your computer.
In other matters
Police started the week of February of 18th thru 24th addressing a little lunch time larceny at the liquor store. Shortly after noon last Monday at 12:07 p.m. police received a report that an older man wearing a black toque with red stripe had just attempted to walk out of the Woodlands Liquor Store with a bottle of liquor in his possession, however liquor store staff grabbed him before he could abscond with the liquor. The man quickly left the liquor store leaving the bottle of liquor behind. Police caught up with the would be thief a few blocks from the liquor store where they arrested him for theft under $5,000.00 returning him to the police office.
Thieves will steal just about anything they can get their hands on.
Last Tuesday morning at 10:36 a.m. police received a report from the security personnel at the Kiwigana Camp located along the Deer River Road that someone had stolen a $1,200.00 Rigid 40 inch light bar from a 2012 Dodge Ram truck parked the camp parking lot. Security personnel advised police they will be reviewing their CCTV recording of the incident as the thief should of been recorded stealing the light bar from the truck.
It’s been said of drinking & driving, “there are stupider things one can do,
however that list is pretty darn short”.
But judging by the numbers for 2013 to date, 23 to be exact, there seems to be no shortage of those people willing to take a crack at getting their names on the list of those persons caught drinking & driving or better yet, the “stupider things” list. On February 19th at 3:09 p.m. police received a report of a commercial vehicle that had disobeyed the instructions of a flag person working in the construction zone on Alaska Highway  at Bougie Creek approximately an hour earlier around 2:00 p.m. At 3:09 p.m. police located the vehicle at the Fort Nelson Weigh Scale & Inspection Station confirming the 38-year-old man from Wanham, AB driving the White 2007 Kenworth Tractor Trailer Unit was impaired by alcohol. After providing two roadside breath samples police impounded the vehicle and issued the driver with 3 day Immediate Roadside Prohibition from driving.
Is this your bank card?
Police are looking for another thief. Last Tuesday evening police received a a call from Tags Convenience reporting a theft of cigarettes. Apparently around 10:55 p.m. a lone female in her twenties wearing a dark colored hoodie partially covering her face walked into the store and requested two packages of cigarettes. When the clerk placed the cigarettes on the counter the female threw a bank card on the counter, grabbed the cigarettes and ran out the door of the store and disappeared into the night. Police are now following up on this incident examining the CCTV camera footage and attempting to locate the owner of the bank card that was left behind.
Two thirsty ladies
Police are investigating another case of light fingered liquor larceny at the Woodlands liquor store. This past Wednesday evening at 6:34 p.m. police were called to the Liquor Store when it was reported two younger females had each stolen a bottle of liquor leaving the store climbing into a taxi and leaving the area. With the assistance of the liquor store staff and examination of the liquor store CCTV recording of the incident police were able to identify the two females responsible for the theft and subsequently arrest both of them. Both females from Fort Nelson 20 and 22-years of age will appear in provincal court to answer a charge each of Theft Under $5,000.00.
And she had quenched hers
Thursday February 21 st at 11:50 p.m. police were called to the Provincal Motel in response to a disturbance complaint. Police were advised there was an intoxicated female in one of the rooms throwing things around. When police arrived they located the extremely intoxicated 37-year-old Fort Nelson woman laying on the bed. Police noted the room was in a mess in complete disarray with empty liquor bottles strewn around the room. Due to the woman’s extreme state of intoxication police first transported the woman to the hospital where she was examined and declared fit enough to be lodged in jail until she was sober.
Guest could barely behave
A short time later at 1:34 p.m. police received an urgent call for police assistance at a local residence where it was reported an intoxicated male was causing a disturbance and breaking things inside the residence. Police attended to the residence where they spoke to the 40 -year-old female who had called the police requesting their assistance. Police were advised by the woman that the 39-year old man “was drunk in the bathroom and she wanted him gone” the woman went onto to tell police “he had been pushing her around, trashing the house and damaging her property”. When police called out and asked the -man to come out and speak to them all they received was a garbled barely understandable reply. Police carefully proceeded down the hallway to the wide open bathroom door where they located the man dressed only in his finest birthday suit seated firmly on the toilet. When asked to step out of the bathroom the man uttered a foul expletive that cannot be repeated telling police he was busy and would be out in a moment. Once off the throne police politely asked the man to please put some clothing on offering him some underwear and pants. However despite repeated requests by police to please put on some clothes the surly intoxicated man flatly refused to put some clothes on. Wrestling with a naked person is akin to handling Grandma’s finest bone china it’s a very delicate procedure, a procedure police quickly determined was not in the best interests of either party, the naked man or the police. Despite the temperature being a chilly  18 celcius police decided the brief walk to the police truck would not endanger the man’s health. Police handcuffed the man wrapping a large towel around the parts most susceptible to the cold before hustling him out to a pre heated police truck that whisked him off to the police office where he was lodged in jail and after some more encouragement finally relented and agreed to put on some pants that were provided to him. Police have recommended charges of assault and mischief under $5,000.00 against the Fort Nelson man.
Nap time
The same day at 5:30 p.m. police were called to the P&T Restaurant when it was reported a male customer had come into the restaurant, sat down at a table and promptly fallen asleep. Police attended the restaurant and quickly determined the 44 year old Fort Nelson man was intoxicated. After some nudging the intoxicated male woke up disoriented and not sure exactly where he was. Police arrested the male for Public Intoxication transporting him to the police office where he was lodged in jail until he was sober.
Staff Sergeant Tom Roy,
Officer-in -Charge
Northern Rockies Detachment.

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