Vancouver transit police warn international students about scam artist

International students using transit to get around Metro Vancouver are being warned about a man believed to have tricked several people out of money.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police said Friday that the man, who introduces himself as a student from the U.S. or U.K, has been approaching foreign students across SkyTrain stations between Downtown Vancouver and New Westminster.

His modus operandi is to say he is a student down on his luck, who needs cash to repair his vehicle or buy gas. He shows his Facebook profile or gives his target his phone number, and will say that he attends the same school as the victim, mentioning a teacher or class to strengthen his authenticity.

He is described as white, between 20 and 30 years old, slim, with cropped brown hair and five feet 10 inches tall. He is clean shaven, and has a gaunt appearance with dark circles under his eyes.

Transit Police are asking the public to exercise extra caution if approached, and to contact them if they see someone with this description soliciting for money on TransLink property.