The Victoria Police Department is warning the public after a 61-year-old man fell victim to a fake gold jewellery scam.
At approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 21st, a “vulnerable” 61-year-old man was walking in the 600-block of Craigflower Road when he was flagged down by two unknown men in a parked vehicle.
The men convinced the victim to purchase two gold rings and two gold chains. The victim did not have enough money for the jewelry, so the suspects drove the victim to an ATM where they stood by while he withdrew money.
In total, the victim gave the suspects $460 for fake gold jewellery and was then driven back to the area where he was originally picked up.
The suspects are described as males with thick beards and sound as if English is their second language, say police.
The vehicle is described as a grey or silver newer model medium-sized sedan with four doors.
This is not an isolated incident. On November 22, one municipality over, Saanich Police received a similar report of two suspicious men in a silver vehicle who attempted to convince a 26-year-old man to enter their vehicle to purchase a gold ring. The man refused and was not defrauded by the suspects.
Officers are warning the public of these incidents and encouraging anyone approached by a suspicious person offering to sell jewellery to decline, leave the area, and contact police.
If you have information about this incident or recognize these suspects, you are asked to call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 ext 1. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Rebecca Lawrence
