Virtual kidnapping phone scam targets Chinese nationals

Police has once again warned the public about an extortion scheme that tricks victims into believing their loved ones have been kidnapped.  RCMP has said that numerous victims have been contacted by suspects claiming to be Chinese government officials. The victims are told they were implicated in crimes in China. Police first alerted the public about this scam in July. There were no further incidents up until mid- October when the RCMP received three new reports.

The incidents appear to be targeting female Chinese nationals who are often coerced into a series of actions that, if not completed, would result in harm to their families.  At the same time, families in China are contacted by suspects claiming to be Chinese government officials who say their loved ones in Canada are being held against their will, leading to a demand for money. The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China has also advised Chinese specially students in Vancouver that any relevant legal documents involving official legal cases in China will be mailed to them directly from the Chinese diplomatic missions. Officials have advised that  phone calls are never made to verify personal information, especially personal banking information.

Calgary Police wants its staff to present just facts not opinions

The Calgary Police Service is working to educate its staff to ensure it doesn’t deify or demonize members who’ve been charged with a crime when making the announcement to the media.  “Because of the sort of inconsistent approach to that, we need to make sure our members understood that we have a very strong obligation to remain neutral on the ideas of editorializing character of officers,” said chief Roger Chaffin as he revealed new guidelines at the Calgary Police Commission. He said it was important that those announcing charges against officers “stay to the facts,” while still providing needed information to the public.

A recent example saw Insp. Don Coleman tell a news conference that three veteran officers charged with kidnapping and assault of an at-risk youth were “excellent officers” and that he fully stood behind them. “It’s not convictions, it’s charges, so these are allegations, and then we will support the process once the matter goes before the courts,” he said.  The service has drafted guidelines that will help determine who’s best to speak to the media about charges and what should and should not be said.

NFL gets its first PET/CT scanner

It was a big day for health care in Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday.

Eastern Health  officially opened its state-of-the-art nuclear and molecular medicine facility at the Health Sciences Complex and also launched the province’s first-ever positron emission tomography (PET/CT) scanner. The scanner will improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiac disease and neurological disorders.