Fraudster targeting prospective vendors at summer festival in small B.C. city, RCMP say

A previous year's Powell River Blackberry festival is seen in this image from the city's Parks, Recreation and Culture department website (powellriverprc.ca)

Mounties in Powell River have come out with an unusual warning for vendors hoping to sell their wares at the city’s Blackberry Festival this August.

Police have been informed of “a social media fraud that is targeting potential vendors” for the festival, Powell River RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.

“The scammer is claiming to be the Blackberry Festival co-ordinator and is asking for vendor payment using the email address [e-mail],” the release reads.

“The Powell River RCMP would like to advise everyone that the Powell River Blackberry Festival co-ordinators will never ask for payment via social media, private message, gift cards or a direct transfer to an unofficial email address.”

The festival’s official, legitimate email address is [e-mail], police said, adding that vendors will receive an invoice from the city’s chamber of commerce.

“Please be cautious when sending any payment or personal information and if you have any concerns, please call the Powell River RCMP detachment at 604-485-6255,” police said.