Police are asking for your help to find a man wanted for fraud-related charges in Olds and a wide swath of Alberta, stretching from Chestermere to St. Paul.
The suspect is 31-year-old Bradly Barry Kowalczyk. He faces charges of fraud over $5,000, fraud under $5,000 and breaching conditions of his earlier release from custody. He also faces similar charges in Weyburn, Sask.
It's alleged that over the past year, Kowalczyk has lured victims through online classified ads for high-value items like farm and industrial type equipment.
He is alleged to have taken deposits for these items, then not provided the advertised product.
Kowalczyk is believed to be travelling in a dark grey 2012 Nissan Titan, pulling a 2009 Fleetwood travel trailer.
If you have any information related to the whereabouts of Kowalczyk or his vehicle, please call the nearest police detachment or Const. Seth Adair directly at the Three Hills, Alta. RCMP Detachment @ 403-443-5539 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
RCMP urge the public to be very careful when buying products using online classified ad websites. They recommend the following best practices to help prevent you from being the victim of fraud:
• When buying or selling, meet with the other party in person, preferably in a public place;
• Never send or wire money without first receiving the product you are seeking to purchase;
• Make yourself aware of common scams via www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca;
• Do not give out personal and/or banking information over the Internet;
•If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
If you think you have been the victim of an online fraud, report the matter to the security department of the associated website and also to your local police service.
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It's alleged that over the past year, Kowalczyk has lured victims through online classified ads for high-value items like farm and industrial type equipment.He is alleged to have taken deposits for these items, then not provided the advertised product.
