West Shore RCMP are warning residents to be on alert after multiple reports of a gold jewelry scam targeting people in parking lots outside busy retail stores in the West Shore area.
According to police, suspects have been approaching members of the public with a similar story. They claim they have run out of money for gas or food and then offer what they say is gold jewelry at a very low price in exchange for cash.
Police say the pitch is designed to create urgency and play on sympathy.
“Since the beginning of 2026, at least nine incidents involving this type of scam have been reported to West Shore RCMP,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, the detachment’s media relations officer.
“These fraudsters rely on sympathy and urgency to pressure victims into handing over money. In several reported cases, the suspects had young children with them, which appeared to be used to gain trust and lower suspicion.”
In every reported case, the jewelry turned out to be fake or of little to no value. Once cash is exchanged, the suspects quickly leave the area.
Police are reminding the public to never buy jewelry or give money to strangers in parking lots or other public places. They also urge people to be cautious of stories involving emergencies or time pressure and to trust their instincts if something feels off.
Anyone who is approached in this manner, or who witnesses similar activity, is asked to report it to police as soon as possible. RCMP say timely reporting can help officers respond quickly and may prevent others from becoming victims.
Meanwhile, Nanaimo RCMP issued a similar warning later the same day, alerting the public to an ongoing fraud involving fake gold jewellery.
Police say the most recent incident was reported on February 6th, in the parking lot of the Co-Op gas station at 2517 Labieux Road in Nanaimo.
According to RCMP, a man reported that he was refuelling his vehicle when a dark grey Volkswagen Tiguan pulled up beside him. The vehicle was occupied by a man and a woman, described as being of Middle Eastern descent.
The male driver told the complainant that he had lost his wallet and urgently needed money for fuel to return to Victoria.
Police say the driver offered a ring he claimed was worth $3,000 in exchange for $100 in cash. Feeling sympathy for the pair, the complainant withdrew money from a nearby ATM and handed it over.
Shortly afterward, the complainant took the ring to a local pawn shop, where he was informed that it was fake and had no monetary value.
Similar incidents have been reported periodically across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Investigators believe the suspects may be part of a larger criminal network that travels between communities committing similar frauds.
Police are advising the public not to provide money in these situations. When it is safe to do so, incidents should be reported to police.
