A scam that started in BC has now moved its way into Alberta with dozens of victims now coming forward. 

Bryan Christopher Syryda, a 36-year-old Calgary man, obtained an estimated $25,000 from his alleged victims.  

Syryda had been charged with fraud and romance scams and was first reported to police in 2020. 

The victims of those offenses had been scammed into thinking the man worked for well-known tech companies and could provide them with discounted tech devices and group rates. At that time, several charges were laid by the police. 

In late August 2021, more reports began coming in about Syryda continuing his antics in BC. 

Investigations continued and it was revealed that Syryda had started scamming women through online dating apps. He would take these women on extravagant dates and then coerce them into buying electronics from him. Once the money had been transferred over, no electronics would be received. 

Similar to a popular incident that had happened on a dating site, Syryda would use the money he had fraudulently obtained in 2020 to gain the trust of these women. 

Syryda had gone so far as to convince the victims' families and friends into buying the supposed discounted items.  

Some of these victims had given Syryda hundreds of dollars whereas other victims had given him thousands of dollars. 

As of right now, police have pinpointed that Syryda scammed women in Cochrane, Calgary, Langley, Surrey, and Delta. It is believed there could be more victims throughout Alberta as more women come forward to the police. 

Now facing two counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, Syryda’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 29, 2022, where additional charges may be given.  

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud is asked to call the police at 403-266-1234.