A North Bay man faces serious charges after allegedly defrauding a victim of $16,000 in a construction scam. William James Scriver was arrested following an investigation into the contractor fraud complaint.
Scriver has been charged with fraud over $5,000. The victim hired him in May 2025 through what appeared to be a legitimate business. Payments totaling $16,000 were made for work that was never completed.
The Kelowna RCMP reported an increase in fraud reports, particularly involving impersonation-based scams. Scammers often pose as public officials or trusted institutions to pressure victims into transferring money.
Key statistics:
- Impersonation scams are on the rise, with fraudsters using “spoofed” phone numbers to appear legitimate.
- Q2 Holdings reported a 14.1% year-on-year revenue growth due to demand for fraud prevention solutions.
- The company’s annual recurring revenue reached $945 million, reflecting an 11.6% year-on-year growth.
Insp. McFarlane noted that “Fraud can result in significant financial loss and cause serious emotional harm.” He urged individuals to be cautious and vigilant against such scams.
Fraud prevention measures are critical as financial institutions adapt to increasing threats. The rise of digital banking has also opened new avenues for potential scams.
The next steps in this case include further investigations by the Kelowna RCMP. Observers anticipate more developments as the case unfolds.
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