New fraud in town- Wedding officiant scam

September 23, 2025 - Nanaimo, British Columbia
From: Nanaimo RCMP

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Nanaimo file # 2025-24761

The Nanaimo RCMP wishes to advise the public of a fraud targeting wedding officiants.

In the reported case, the complainant, who has been licensed to perform wedding ceremonies for many years, received an email from a potential client asking them to officiate their wedding. The officiant did not like the tone or language used and did not accept the offer. Despite rejecting the offer, the scammer continued emailing the officiant.

A letter was then received several days letter containing a cheque for $2925. The scammer who called themselves Linda Joe, said the money was so the officiant could book a photographer for them, and if there were funds left over, to send the remainder back to them. “The complainant wasn’t falling for it and could see that it had all the earmarks of a scam. She therefore stopped all communication, blocked the email and then reported the incident to the Nanaimo RCMP,” said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

An investigation into the name and address on the cheque determined both were fake, and the bank used was reportedly located in Florida. The officiant told police that she belongs to a FB group of officiants and others in the group had also been contacted.

To find out more about scams, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud website.

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