Victoria police are warning the public after two fraudsters persuaded a 61-year-old man to pay almost $500 for fake gold jewelry.
The 61-year-old, whom Victoria police described as vulnerable due to health and mental health issues, was walking in the 600-block of Craigflower Road around 3 p.m. Nov. 21 when he was flagged down by two strangers in a parked vehicle, said police spokesman Const. Cam MacIntyre.
The two men persuaded the victim to purchase two gold rings and two gold chains. When the man said he did not have enough money for the jewelry, the pair drove him to an ATM and stood by while he withdrew the cash. He paid $460 for gold jewelry that turned out to be fake.
The incident was reported to the police on Nov. 29.
The two men are described as Middle Eastern with full beards and thick accents. They were described as having difficulty speaking English, Victoria police said. They were driving a grey or silver newer-model medium-sized sedan with four doors.
Saanich police received a similar report on Nov. 22 of two suspicious men in a silver vehicle who tried to convince a 26-year-old man to enter their vehicle to purchase a gold ring. The man refused and was not defrauded.
Police are advising anyone approached by a suspicious person offering to sell jewelry to decline, leave the area and call police.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Victoria police at 250-995-7654 and press 1 for the report desk. To report anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
