As March is “national fraud prevention month” Calgary police are educating the public about scams, meanwhile a growing number of people allege they have been victimized by a Calgary man charged for fraudulent activity.
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) said fraud-related calls for service have doubled since 2015 with 12,883 calls, rising to 36,292 in 2020, and remaining high last year.
Last Wednesday Calgary police issued a release about 36-year-old Bryan Syryda after the initial investigation included 10 victims. Since then, police told CTV news another five people have come forward to file complaints that are currently under investigation.
Syryda has been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000 and has been released on an undertaking with strict conditions, according to CPS.
Calgary police also said that additional charges are pending and the funds allegedly swindled from victims may increase beyond the initial estimate of $25,000.
Several of Bryan Syryda’s former friends and romantic partners say he demonstrated a pattern in his alleged scam.
“For months and months and months everyone was telling me I’ve been scammed. I just will say I’ve been too naive, to have faith in this guy who seems to be so nice and having such hard luck,” said Matt Radke on Tuesday.
He said he first connected with Syryda one year ago to purchase televisions for himself and five others, electronically transferred $3,650…
