‘Such a shame’: B.C. animal charity receives fraudulent $95K donation

Criminals are getting more devious, and the latest scam of a charity that cares for animals shows they don't care who they target.

A Richmond, B.C., animal shelter thought it had struck it big after receiving an email about a large donation – but it turned out to be part of an elaborate scam.

In late June, the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) was contacted by someone posing as a law firm employee, claiming a person had left the organization a $95,000 donation in their will.

A few days later, a cheque, seemingly from the Ontario Ministry of Finance, arrived in the mail.

RAPS president Catherine Ellsmere said the cheque was deposited, and construction began at the charity’s cat sanctuary, which houses more than 400 animals.

But several days later, the organization received another email from the fake lawyer, claiming there had been a mistake and the donation was only meant to be $25,000. The fraudster asked RAPS to send back the remaining $70,000.

“Luckily, that same day the bank called and said the cheque was fraudulent, so no money was sent on our behalf,” Ellsmere told CTV News.

Although RAPS didn’t send any money to the scammers, the organization had already launched projects based on the assumption it had received the full amount. Ellsmere said they are now out about $25,000.

“It is very disheartening,” she said.“Everyone is getting targeted with fraudulent activities. But with charities, it is literally donor dollars given to us to use in a positive way. It doesn’t get much worse than that, taking food out of the mouths of all of the animals here. It’s such a shame.”

Ellsmere said she hopes sharing their story will help other charities avoid a similar fate.

“We want to make them aware that it’s out there, that it’s happening,” she said.

The case is now being investigated by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Anyone who wishes to donate to RAPS can do so through its website.