Douglas Archie Clark, 64, of Burnaby, faces 13 fraud charges. (RCMP)

Fraud charges have been laid against a B.C. man who police say masqueraded as a cancer patient and defrauded people of almost $1 million for his treatment.

Douglas Archie Clark, of Burnaby, is facing 13 counts of fraud.

The RCMP allege Clark, 64, portrayed himself as a member of the Canadian military, sometimes wearing a naval officer's uniform, and told victims he had cancer and needed money for treatments not covered by his medical plan.

It's believed Clark defrauded his victims of around $900,000, with complaints going back to the 1990s, said Insp. Dave Fleugel.

Fleugel said Clark, "had some sort of a relationship with many of the early victims and developed a deeper rapport with them to gain their trust."

He said police are still investigating the case, in which there are 40 or more potential victims, some donating large sums.

"They actually cashed in some of their retirement savings, and I'm also aware a house was remortgaged to come up with the funds," he said.

None of the charges against Clark have been proven.

Clark was arrested in Maple Ridge but released Thursday on $10,000 bail and on condition he have no contact with any of the alleged victims and not wear any military uniform, pending his trial.

He's to appear in court again in July.

With files from The Canadian Press and the CBC's Mike Clarke