Bogus buyers exposed in scam to boost property market in Vancouver

Deception aimed to create the impression that Chinese buyers are still flocking to buy into Vancouver's housing market, where prices are falling

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A screen grab from a CTV interview with Amanda (left) and Chris Lee who claimed to be Chinese sisters, bankrolled by their parents, looking to buy an apartment in Vancouver.

Published: 12:00am, 22 Feb 2013Updated: 1:06am, 8 Nov 2015

A senior executive at a Vancouver marketing firm was forced to resign after employees of the company were caught posing as the daughters of rich Chinese property buyers in interviews with TV reporters.

The deception was intended to create the impression that Chinese buyers were still queuing up to buy into Vancouver's teetering real estate market, which has long been fuelled by money from China and is now rated as the second least-affordable city in the world, behind Hong Kong, according to the Demographia* consultancy's study of 378 cities around the world in nine markets.

Cameron McNeill, president of MAC Marketing Solutions, announced the decision after the scam was exposed by a blogger.

"I apologise for that incident and pledge that nothing like this will happen again at MAC," McNeill said. "Having had the opportunity to assess the situation, I have taken decisive actions. Although it will take time, we hope that we can earn back our good reputation and your trust. This situation has been difficult for everyone and as a company, we will learn from this, grow stronger and be better for it."

Having had the opportunity to assess the situation, I have taken decisive actions. Although it will take time, we hope that we can earn back our good reputation and your trust

He said he had accepted the resignation of a senior manager involved in the fakery.

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