A Calgary man is facing multiple charges after allegedly defrauding dozens of victims out of more than $25,000.
Police said the man, 36-year-old Bryan Christopher Syryda, was reported to CPS in 2020 after multiple people at the time claimed they gave him money in exchange for discounted technology products, such as televisions.
The victims were told by Syryda that he worked for well-known technology companies and that he had access to electronics at discounted and bulk prices. During that time, many charges were laid by the police.
Ryan Massel was one of Syryda’s alleged victims.
“He showed up at events and parties and was always a friend of a friend,” Massel told Global News.
“He tried to be everybody’s friend,” Massel said, adding that he believes Syryda would tell people things that weren’t true.
Massel said he agreed to buy nearly $3,000 worth of consumer electronics after Syryda claimed he worked for a high-profile manufacturer.
Massel said Syryda’s conversations were particularly persuasive after he gave information about his personal life.
“He’ll say, ‘I know your mom lives in Saskatchewan, so you know, maybe get her an iPod for Christmas. That way, you’ll be able to see her when you talk to her because she’s older,” Massel said.
“It really plays into those moments where you’re like, ‘That’s a great idea. It wouldn’t be nice for me to see my mom’s face.”
Massel said he contacted CPS in 2019 after multiple apparent attempts to delay and delay Syryda getting his money back.
By August 2021, CPS began receiving additional complaints against the man — this time from multiple people in British Columbia. Victims there fell for the same scam by Syridas, where he allegedly offered high-tech electronics in exchange for cash and then the items were never delivered.
As investigators looked into the allegations, they were made aware of several local Calgary women who met Syryda through online dating sites such as Bumble and Plenty of Fish.
In a news release, police said the man took the woman on “outrageous outings” and would make the same fake tech deals to the women along with their friends.
Police said they believe the money Syryda used to “woo the women” on dates was obtained through previous scams and then intended to trick the victims into trusting the man and giving him their money.
As before, items were never delivered to those who paid a few hundred dollars, while others were scammed out of thousands.
In many of the cases, the victims convinced their family members and friends to take advantage of the fake electronics deal. CPS said the victims were located in Langley, Surrey, Delta, Cochrane and Calgary.
Massel said the realization that he was one of the many who felt Sirida was pissing him off was “like a punch in the gut”.
“We are having these conversations and hopefully it doesn’t happen to other people. Yes, it’s embarrassing. Yes, you feel stupid. Yes, you think it will never happen to you. And when it happens, I have to tell the story because, for goodness sake, I don’t want it to keep happening to others.”
Syrida is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, with additional charges pending. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 29, 2022.
The charges against Syridas have not yet been tried in court.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud is asked to call police at 403-266-1234.
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