Lacombe police are looking for victims of an alleged fraudulent cancer society fundraiser who targeted donors in that city, as well as nearby Red Deer, to step forward.
The man is believed to have gone door to door soliciting for the Canadian Cancer Society, fundraising for the Cancer Walk.
While a suspect has been arrested, charges are still pending. Lacombe Police Services Sgt. Steve Murray said the man is believed to be the same person who Red Deer RCMP allege bilked more than $10,000 out of 600 residents.
“This is the lowest of the low,” said Murray.
“People are in the spirit of giving anyway. We’re going after this pretty vigorously because not only is he using a worthwhile organization to defraud people at Christmas, it also can be very damaging to the Canadian Cancer Society.”
He said police hope many victims will come forward so they can get as much information together before charges are laid.
“We’re trying to figure out who are the victims, how much did they lose and the charges will be dependent on that,” said Murray.
Lacombe police said it was reported to them that the male, described as in his late 40s with short, light-coloured hair and about 1.67 metres (five foot six) in height, was canvassing door to door in the area of Country Ridge Estates and Hearthstone in Lacombe.
The man alledgedly produced expired documentation with photo identification issued by the Canadian Cancer Society in 2011. Police have confirmed he is not a representative of the Canadian Cancer Society.
The Alberta/N.W.T. Division of the Canadian Cancer society ended its annual door-to-door canvass in 2008.
RCMP arrested the man on Dec. 20 near West Park in Red Deer.
If you believe you are a victim of this crime contact the Lacombe Police Service at 403-782-3279 or the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com