The cost of hay has risen in recent months due to high demand and short supply, and the Drumheller RCMP are warning area farmers and livestock producers to be wary of fraudulent ads for hay sales which have begun to crop up.
Earlier this summer extended high temperatures, and drought conditions prompted several municipalities across the province to declare states of agricultural emergencies--including Kneehill, Starland, and Wheatland County--and resulted in lower crop yields and stunted crop growth.
“It sounds like an individual saw hay for sale on Kijiji for a decent price and thought they would take advantage (of the low price), brokered a deal, and sent money,” Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Ed Bourque tells the Mail.
Once the money was transferred, the seller stopped all communication with the buyer, and no goods were ever exchanged.
This incident is among several across the province, and S/Sgt Bourque says there is an ongoing investigation and “team effort” between the Drumheller detachment and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
“Fraudsters are trying to cut a fairly large swath, pardon the pun, to catch up as many people as they can,” S/Sgt Bourque says.
He adds, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
S/Sgt Bourque encourages any area farmers who may have been involved in a similar fraudulent transaction to reach out to the Drumheller RCMP detachment at 403-823-7590 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
