Close X
Friday, October 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Two people arrested in sophisticated gold fraud operation

Darpan News Desk Richmond RCMP, 30 Mar, 2022 12:43 PM
  • Two people arrested in sophisticated gold fraud operation

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.

If you have information on similar suspicious activity, call Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit them online at www.solvecrime.ca.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada to receive 2.9M vaccine doses this week

Canada to receive 2.9M vaccine doses this week
The two pharmaceutical companies had been delivering about 2 million shots per week through the month of May, but will increase that to 2.4 million doses per week starting on Monday.

Canada to receive 2.9M vaccine doses this week

Minimum wage of $15.20 to take effect tomorrow

Minimum wage of $15.20 to take effect tomorrow
The minimum wage in British Columbia jumps to $15.20 an hour on June 1, making it the highest rate of any province in Canada. A statement from the Ministry of Labour says the rate climbs 60 cents per hour Tuesday, while the minimum wage for liquor servers will increase $1.25 per hour to match the minimum wage.

Minimum wage of $15.20 to take effect tomorrow

Feds open loan program for Black entrepreneurs

Feds open loan program for Black entrepreneurs
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund will provide loans of up to $250,000 for businesses that are majority Black-owned, or entrepreneurs for their startups or existing for-profit small businesses.

Feds open loan program for Black entrepreneurs

Trudeau vows support after unmarked graves found

Trudeau vows support after unmarked graves found
Trudeau offered sombre words today about the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, calling it "heartbreaking news."    

Trudeau vows support after unmarked graves found

63 per cent of B.C. residents have one COVID shot

63 per cent of B.C. residents have one COVID shot
Officials say there has been a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care facility, Brookside Lodge in Surrey, where one resident and a staff member have tested positive.    

63 per cent of B.C. residents have one COVID shot

CN Rail fined $100,000 for pesticide on B.C. track

CN Rail fined $100,000 for pesticide on B.C. track
British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says Canadian National Railway has entered a guilty plea in a Prince Rupert court for failing to obtain the needed authorization to apply pesticide along its tracks.

CN Rail fined $100,000 for pesticide on B.C. track