An accused fraudster featured on the TV show America’s Most Wanted and accused of travelling across Canada, with a stop in Victoria, duping seniors was arrested in Vancouver.
Richard Earl Rupert, the so-called “Nephew Bandit,” was taken into custody on Wednesday after evading capture for more than five years.
Sgt. Randy Fincham of Vancouver police said the 57-year-old “stayed one step ahead of police” by constantly criss-crossing through B.C. and Canada and was arrested at a Vancouver hospital where he had been receiving medical treatment under the false name Jerry Whitehead.
“He was identified by an alert hospital staff member who recognized him from a mug shot photograph,” Fincham said Thursday. “That staff member then notified police and police attended the hospital.”
Rupert is accused of scamming elderly people — many with mobility issues — by convincing them to hand over large amounts of money after promising to repay the loan, Fincham said.
“What he did is he became friends with them, he pretended to be a distant relative, he gained a certain amount of trust from these people, and either conned them out of money or he received money willingly from their bank accounts,” he said.
“Or, at times, he stole money or valuables inside their houses,” Fincham said of the man who remains in custody while he awaits a court appearance.
Rupert was charged with fraud in Victoria on March 14 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Victoria police spokesman Bowen Osoko said in one incident an elderly woman was duped out of $2,000. In another, a “crafty elderly lady” called police to report a fraud attempt.
She told police she said to the man, “I don’t give my own children money. Why would I give it to you?” Osoko said.
“He’s one of the worst we’ve ever seen. We’re happy he’s
facing charges.”
Vancouver police did not disclose how much money they believe Rupert got from his victims or the name of the hospital where the man was arrested.
Rupert, whose alleged crimes were also featured on the TV show W5, is wanted on 18 warrants in B.C., Alberta and Ontario related to charges of fraud, robbery and breaking and entering.
Fincham said investigators will also be looking into whether Rupert committed other offences, including any in the U.S.
“This person has a pattern of having very elusive behaviour, where he managed to change his name, change his identity and move from city to city and province to province within Canada to avoid being captured by the police,” he said.
“There is a possibility that prior to this man coming onto our radar and our investigation starting, that he may have committed other offences and that is something we’ll look at.”
In April, Langley RCMP issued an arrest warrant after Rupert allegedly approached an elderly woman walking out of a grocery store and told her he was the son of a family friend.
Mounties said Rupert convinced the woman that he needed money to fix his car and went with her to a bank, where she withdrew “a large sum of cash” and gave it to him.
— With files from Sarah Petrescu
