Multiple reports of a normal-seeming family of jewellery fraudsters have been reported to the West Shore RCMP.
The group typically appears to be in a vehicle made up of an adult man, woman and two children. They most frequently engage with their victims in high-traffic areas including parking lots or gas stations.
The suspects will attempt to sell the victims gold or jewellery, and will usually provide an emotionally charged story about needing cash urgently for gas, ferry tickets, child care or another family emergency. Then they offer to sell the valuables for well below their presumed value in the interest of getting quick cash to deal with their “emergency.”
Victims later learn that the jewellery is fake and worth much less than they bought it for.
Police want to make the public aware that the fraudsters may be operating in the area and encourage developing a healthy skepticism towards any strangers attempting to sell items on the street.
The police are investigating the the situation and if anyone has information, or has been a victim of the fraud not already reporting it to police, you can call the West Shore RCMP non emergency line at 250-474-2264.
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