Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 07/01) - Thieves posing as territorial native leaders have tried to bilk Yellowknife banks and businesses, say local RCMP.
So far culprits have fabricated stories of death, robbery and lost property while claiming to be prominent chiefs and band executives stranded in Vancouver.
The suspects request money be wired to Vancouver in order to get home.
"Whoever they are, they've done their research. They are very familiar with family names," said RCMP Staff-Sgt. Terry Scott.
The names of the misrepresented aboriginal leaders and amount of money pilfered to date will not be disclosed while the matter is under investigation.
Yellowknife businesses and banks are urged to exercise particular caution when conducting phone transactions.
"We don't want anyone else being victimized," Scott said.
