RCMP: Beware of fake jewelry scammers active on Vancouver Island
Published 7:20 am Saturday, June 13, 2026
The Oceanside RCMP is warning residents to beware of fraudsters.
Police say the scammers are active in the mid-Island area, trying to sell fake jewelry or steal real jewelry from unsuspecting residents using well-practised scam techniques.
Sgt. Shane Worth said on the morning of June 6, Oceanside RCMP investigated two incidents in Parksville where a man driving a black Audi SUV stopped and sought directions from pedestrians. During the conversations, the man and his female passenger handed jewelry to the pedestrians in a ruse to either sell them the jewelry or steal the jewelry they were already wearing. In both instances, the people refused the offers and the vehicle sped away.
A short time later in Nanaimo, using the identical approach, the same suspects were successful in stealing jewelry when the female passenger placed a necklace she was trying to sell around an unsuspecting person’s neck and in the process removed their real gold necklace.
The man and the woman are both described as South Asian or Syrian and heavy-set.
In these scams, the fraudsters approach people claiming a family emergency and that they have run out of money or that they are lost and are seeking directions. They offer jewelry at a deep discount or try to place jewelry on you or give a hug as a gesture of thanks. The jewelry they are selling is always fake with no value, or through expert sleight of hand they steal your real jewelry and simultaneously give you a worthless fake.
“These fraudsters are well-trained and will appeal to your emotions,” said Worth. “If anyone approaches trying to sell or give you jewelry, be aware that it is likely a scam and walk away.”
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