BC RCMP are joining local detachments in warning the public about an increase in so-called gold and distraction theft scams taking place in communities across the province, including several recent cases on Vancouver Island.
Police say the scams typically unfold in busy public areas such as restaurant parking lots, gas stations and retail centres.
Suspects approach individuals claiming they urgently need money for gas, food, medical expenses or hotel bills. In an effort to gain sympathy, they may appear distressed and pressure victims to act quickly.
In many cases, suspects offer what they claim is real gold jewelry at a steep discount in exchange for cash. Victims later discover the items are fake and the suspects are gone.
The warning comes a week after West Shore RCMP said at least nine fake gold incidents had been reported in Langford since the start of 2026.
In those cases, suspects approached people outside busy retail stores, claiming they needed money for gas or food and offering what they described as gold jewelry at a discounted price.
Once money changed hands, police said the suspects left quickly and the jewelry later turned out to be fake.
Nanaimo RCMP have also reported a similar incident at a Bowen Road gas station, where a man was offered a ring purportedly worth $3,000 in exchange for $100 in cash.
The ring was later found to be worthless.
Police in Nanaimo believe the suspects may be part of a larger criminal network travelling throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
In the Cowichan Valley, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP reported several calls between February 5th and 9th about suspects attempting to sell fake gold jewelry in parking lots, most in the morning hours around Cowichan Commons.
On February 5th, security at a financial institution on Trunk Road contacted police after a man was seen withdrawing a large amount of cash while holding jewelry believed to be fraudulent.
The man was described as having long brown hair, and a grey SUV was linked to the incident.
Additional reports followed on February 7th and 9th, including an attempted sale of a fake gold ring near Dollarama. In a delayed January 22nd report, a person told police they were approached in a Save-On-Foods parking lot by a man asking for fuel money and were given jewelry later determined to be fake.
“Frauds of this nature can be very convincing and suspects often rely on creating a sense of urgency,” said North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP spokesperson Const. Tessa McDonald.
“We want to ensure the public is aware of this activity so they can make informed decisions and report suspicious behaviour to police.”
In addition to fake gold sales, police say some incidents have involved suspects convincing victims, particularly seniors, to get into a vehicle and travel to a bank or ATM to withdraw money.
“These scams rely on urgency and emotional pressure to convince victims to hand over money,” said Corporal Brett Urano, RCMP spokesperson.
“We encourage the public to be cautious when approached unexpectedly and to report any suspicious interactions to police.”
RCMP are advising residents not to buy jewelry from parking lot sellers, not to hand over cash to strangers in exchange for jewelry or promises of repayment, and never to get into a vehicle with someone they do not know.
Anyone who has experienced a similar interaction is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment.
