Winnipeg police are alerting the public of a jewelry scam where Good Samaritans have been tricked into buying fake gold.
Police have received several reports of incidents over the past month where a man has approached citizens offering them gold for sale.
A man was approached in the 3600 block of Portage Avenue earlier this month by a suspect with a fictitious story about needing money. The victim provided the suspect with clothing, as well as fuel for his vehicle so he could get his young family back home to the Toronto area. After inviting the suspect back to his residence, who was in the company of another male, two females and two young children, the suspect asked for cash in exchange for gold jewelry he was wearing.
A significant amount of cash was provided in exchange for the gold and the suspect and his family left the area. The victim since learned that the gold jewelry provided to him is in fact fake gold.
The male suspect who initially approached the victim is described as 30-35 years of age, dark complexion, approximately 5’4” tall, 170-180 lbs., light brown goatee, wearing a baseball hat, brown jacket and light coloured jeans.
The suspect vehicle is described as a newer model, white Toyota crew cab with a possible Alberta licence plate.
