A Victoria, British Columbia, man who believed Elon Musk was sending him a Tesla and millions of dollars instead spent nearly two years buying Apple gift cards for an impersonator and now faces eviction.
Fodie Karim, 61, encountered the account on TikTok in 2024 while recovering from cancer surgery and chemotherapy. He told the person about his illness and his longtime goal of completing a six-bedroom house for extended family members in Sierra Leone.
The impersonator claimed a new Tesla and $3 million in cash were being sent to Karim. To keep a supposed shipment tracker active, he was repeatedly instructed to buy Apple gift cards and send the card information.
Karim is now about C$3,600 behind on rent at View Towers and has received an eviction notice from his landlord, Westsea Construction Ltd., according to Times Colonist reporting republished by Castanet.
Gift Cards Were Supposed to Keep the Shipment Moving
Victoria man faces eviction after falling for ‘Elon Musk’ scam (BC) https://t.co/Gb9S6MVhAU
— Castanet (@CastanetNews) September 10, 2026
During his recovery, Karim was spending much of his time in his one-bedroom apartment. The account began by asking about his life. His family home in Sierra Leone was already close to completion before his cancer diagnosis interrupted those plans.
The account sent Karim images of a car and money, along with supposed tracking information, in September 2024. He sent the first Apple gift card through WhatsApp that fall. More demands followed, each presented as necessary to keep the tracking number active.
The impersonator also used fabricated paperwork. Emily Rogers, director of operations at Together Against Poverty Society, described mock-ups of identification purportedly belonging to Musk and a supposed Tesla “certificate of possession” for Karim. She said he was unfamiliar with the digital technology used to create the images.
The Promised $3 Million Became $5 Million
At one point, Karim was told the Tesla had reached the Canada-U.S. border but could not be released without a $20,000 payment. He questioned why a supposed government-connected process was being handled through WhatsApp.
The story then changed: the money he was promised increased from $3 million to $5 million. More gift cards were still demanded before he could receive it.
Karim retired in the winter of 2025 after complications from his illness prevented him from returning to full-time work. He told the newspaper he focused on the promised money because he hoped receiving it would help him get ahead financially.
By the time he recognized the fraud, nearly all of his approximately C$1,300 monthly pension was going toward Apple gift cards. He had not added up the payments made over almost two years, but described losing a substantial amount.
He Sent the Scammer His Eviction Notice
Together Against Poverty Society has been advocating for Karim and communicating with his landlord. Rogers told the newspaper she was optimistic he could remain in his apartment if the outstanding rent was paid. Karim said finding another home he could afford on his pension and disability benefits would be difficult.
With the society’s help, Karim reported the fraud to Victoria police. Rogers said the use of encrypted messaging platforms and gift-card payments would make the case difficult to solve.
Karim had sent the impersonator a photograph of his eviction notice, but the messages continued. Another arrived while he was speaking with the newspaper: “I don’t know why you don’t want to answer me.” The account was still presenting itself as Musk.
Karim said it was difficult to come forward publicly, but he wanted to prevent others from falling victim to a similar scam. Describing how the contact developed, he said: “Step by step, they got me wrapped up.”
Police Warn That Payment Demands May Come Later
Victoria Police Sgt. Brent Keleher, who heads the department’s economic crimes unit, told the newspaper that scammers often impersonate famous people and organizations. He warned that a request for money may not appear immediately. A clearing fee, tax or activation charge can be introduced later in the conversation.
Keleher urged people to question whether the request makes sense. In Karim’s case, that meant asking why someone supposedly offering a vehicle and millions of dollars would need Apple gift cards to release the gift. He also warned about suspicious payment requests arriving through social media and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
What to Do if Someone Demands Gift Cards
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns that prize scams promise winnings before demanding fees or purchases, sometimes through prepaid gift cards. The promised reward never arrives.
Apple says its gift cards can be used only for purchases from Apple. They cannot pay government agency fees or unrelated bills. Do not share redemption codes with someone promising to release a vehicle or cash payment. The person receiving those numbers may spend the balance even though the physical card remains with you.
Anyone who has already shared Apple gift-card numbers should contact Apple Support immediately and keep the cards and receipts. The FTC advises asking whether money remains on the card and whether it can be frozen. Ask for a refund as well; reporting the fraud does not guarantee reimbursement.
Canadians should also report fraud to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The centre recommends gathering receipts, documents and copies of messages, and obtaining a police file number for future reference. If a financial institution transferred money, report the incident to that institution too.
The CAFC’s victim guidance warns that fraudsters may return with a promise to recover the money already lost. Do not send another payment to someone making that offer. Preserve any new messages and share relevant updates with police and the centre.