Thursday, March 28, 2024

Saanich resident loses $500 after falling prey to ‘Dubai gold scam’

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A couple successfully scammed a Saanich resident out of $500 by using what is commonly known as the ‘gold scam’.

The resident met the couple on the roadside when they told him that they had lost their wallet and urgently needed cash to return to Dubai.

They handed the victim what appeared to be gold jewelry as collateral and drove to a nearby ATM where $500 was withdrawn and given to the suspect.

When the Saanich resident got back home, they found that the gold jewelry was magnetic and quickly determined that the material was fake.

They then found out that the same fraud had also been reported in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, Merritt, Kamloops, and as far away as Regina, Saskatchewan.

According to Saanich Police, the same suspect attempted to scam another person in the area an hour later but were turned away.

“As we enter the holiday season when goodwill is at its highest level, please use
your common sense and intuition to avoid any scams that will hit you in the heart
and pocketbook,” said Cst. Pat Mangan.

The suspect was accompanied by people purported to be his wife and three young children in a dark Chrysler SUV.

 

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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