Richmond RCMP arrest two suspected gold fraudsters

This stash of fake gold jewelry and other items were seized as part of an ongoing investigation into a fraudulent gold transaction that occurred in Richmond two weekends ago.

On Saturday March 19th, a man and woman approached another man in the 5500 block of Garden City Road and tried to sell him gold for cash. Suspecting the gold to be fake, the man declined and called police.

On March 22nd, Richmond RCMP arrested two suspects and executed search warrants, which offered evidence to suggest the two were part of a sophisticated gold fraud operation.

Corporal Ian Henderson of the Richmond RCMP says, We are very pleased to have made such significant progress on our investigation so quickly. Our investigation involved the cooperation and coordination of several specialized police units. More information will be forthcoming once charges have been approved.

Fraud involving fake gold jewelry appears to be a problem, not just here in the Lower Mainland, but across Canada. Police forces right across the country are warning the public to be wary of people who approach them on the street to offer gold jewelry for cash. Once the transaction is complete, people find out that the gold is fake, and they’ve been duped out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Gold fraudsters typically target victims who appear to be approachable then play on their emotions. They often use emotional stories like needing money to get home, in hopes the victims will buy their gold out of sympathy. Sometimes they even use children as props in their criminal schemes, to draw upon the heartstrings of their victims, or to serve as a distraction while they steal real jewelry from their victims.

Their stories are bogus and so is their gold, says Henderson. If you are approached, say ‘no thank you,’ get to a safe location, and call police.

The Richmond RCMP are encouraging the public to report all suspicious activity like this to police.