‘Earmarks of a scam:’ Shuswap Bird society goes dark after RCMP raises concerns
Published 5:00 am Friday, September 25, 2026
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Search online, and you can still find a trail of breadcrumbs purportedly linked to the Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap.
Click on the resulting links to either the organization’s website or Facebook page, and you’ll find they go nowhere.
These destinations disappeared from the internet shortly after the Observer contacted Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap, a registered non-profit society (confirmed by Service BC), regarding concerns in the community about the group, its goals and fundraising efforts, which included a now-cancelled event, Diva for a Day, that was going to take place at a Salmon Arm hotel on Oct. 17.
When it was online, the Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap (BSS) website indicated the society was looking to acquire a 30-acre piece of land in the Larch Hills area.
In addition to the land, the society said it would also be purchasing “specialized mobility and support equipment to ensure comfort and quality of life for birds with disabilities.”
The society responded to the Observer via email, but not to any questions or concerns raised.
In its reply, received on Sept. 21, the Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap said it was taking “legal action concerning matters that have harmed our name and reputation,” and that it was “in contact with the National News Media Council to formally share our concerns regarding the possible publication and the way this matter has been presented.”
Prior to this story, the Observer had not published anything related to the organization, its website or the planned Diva for a Day event.
In addition to the dead links, a search online for Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap may result in an AI overview with the words “Important Scam Alert.” This is accompanied by a fraud warning taken from a social media post by the Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society (SABNES), the volunteer stewardship group for the Salmon Arm Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and foreshore trail.
“Please be aware that there is a scam indicating there is a bird sanctuary being started in Larch Hills. This is not true,” reads the Sept. 1 SABNES post. “Please be aware and do not send donations.”
“There’s no way that they would be or should be doing a sanctuary for birds at Larch Hills,” said SABNES president Janet Aitken in a Sept. 14 Observer interview. “They just have not made any connections in town. Their website has no local birds or local pictures. The IP address is Kansas and Arizona…
If you were going to start a bird sanctuary, wouldn’t you talk to the people who already have one.?
“They just don’t seem to have a really good plan but they’re trying to raise millions and they’re doing it by e-transfer and there’s no tax receipt. They’re not a charitable organization, so they can’t issue one.”
As of Sept. 24, Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap did not have registered charity status with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Concerns raised about BSS were brought to the attention of the Salmon Arm RCMP. On Sept. 10, RCMP media relations officer Const. Andrew Hodges issued a news release stating police were “aware of a local possible scam under the guise of a fundraiser.”
“While Salmon Arm RCMP are unaware of the validity of this fundraiser or any organization it may be trying to support, police advise using caution when purchasing anything where the only form of payment accepted is E-transfer,” said Hodges.
The BSS website included several ways for the public to financially support the organization. You could provide “donations by e-transfer” to a given email address, with the assurance “Society receipts will be given to donors for $100 and more.” The website also hosted a store that featured works of art for sale. One, of a bear grabbing a fish, was listed at more than $1,000. The Observer contacted the person responsible for the art, an Etsy seller using the handle ArtLabInfinite. They said the art is AI-generated and they “don’t track where people use it or whether they purchased it.” As of Sept. 24, a digital file of the artwork was selling for $2.63.
The BSS website had another artwork, titled Peaches and Bird, listed at $575. The listing stated the artwork was “donated by artist.” The Observer contacted the artist, Crista Forest, who was not aware of the society. Forest pointed out the image on the BSS website was a crop of the original work, titled Bluebirds and Peaches.
“That is just an image stolen from the internet and not even the entire image of the painting,” said Forest. “They are committing fraud because they have no actual painting to sell.”
After receiving the Sept. 21 email from the society, the Observer followed up with Salmon Arm RCMP Staff Sgt. Simon Scott.
Scott said police “have been provided no evidence that the Bird Sanctuary of Shuswap is a legitimate organization.”
“It had all the earmarks of a scam,” maintained Scott, noting police reached out to the organization but had received no response.
“We do have concerns as to its legitimacy and urge people to use caution when asked to donate money, especially when the only method is through E-transfer,” said Scott.
Salmon Arm RCMP provided the following tips for when considering donating or purchasing tickets to any fundraiser, charity, or society:
• Research the organization or charity to ensure it is registered and legitimate. The CRA and OrgBook BC offers a search database to search for legitimate charities and societies;
• Check for red flags such as being asked for personal information or accepting donations or purchases only via E-transfer. E-transfer should only be used with people you know and trust. Do not use E-transfer to purchase things or tickets from anyone you don’t know.
• Avoid donating or purchasing if you feel pressured to do it immediately.
• Report suspicious activities or scams to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
• Stay informed by keeping up to date on the latest frauds and scams to protect yourself and your money.
(For the Record: A person representing the society booked an ad with the Observer for the Diva for a Day event. The ad was cancelled before it could run.