Two Nanaimo residents lost nearly $20,000 to Bitcoin scams in one day this week.

According to a news release from Nanaimo RCMP, two men transferred significant amounts of money to scammers on Wednesday, Jan. 15. 

鈥淩ule No. 1 is never open up, respond to or open links from people or companies you don鈥檛 know. Rule No. 2 is if you are directed to pay by Bitcoin, consider it a scam,鈥� said reserve Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, in the release. 

In the first case, the man who was scammed was phoned by someone claiming to be a police officer. The scammer told the victim his identity had been compromised and he needed to send money to the man on the phone for safe-keeping.  

鈥淚nstructions were provided and the victim was directed to a Bitcoin machine in Woodgrove Centre. There, $13,000 was deposited,鈥� stated the news release. 鈥淥nly after sending the money did the victim realize that he had may have been scammed.鈥� 

The second scam originated from an e-mail claiming the victim was eligible for a refund but in order to get it he had to call a provided number and complete a questionnaire. 

鈥淎fter sending the questionnaire back he was advised there was an error and the company had incorrectly sent him $4,800. He was asked to send the extra money back via Bitcoin. After sending the money the victim figured out that he had been scammed,鈥� the release noted. 鈥淗e also admitted to feeling ashamed but wanted to share his experience with others so they may not make the same mistakes he did.鈥�

To learn more about bitcoin scams and others visit the  at http://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.