Prince George RCMP warning of “fake gold scam”

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The Prince George RCMP Detachment is warning residents of a new scam in the city. 

According to the detachment, people are often approached in public places like parking lots or banks and are offered gold jewelry in exchange for cash.

The scams often imply urgency and desperation on the scammer’s part, causing people to make quick decisions on the spot and purchase the items. 

However, the items are often not real gold and are sold for much more than their value. 

Prince George’s Media Relations Officer Corporal Jennifer Cooper says people who fall for the scam are often unwilling to file a report with the police. She encourages people to step forward to keep the community safe. 

“Unfortunately, victims are often unwilling to make a police report, perhaps out of a feeling of embarrassment for having been caught in a scam,” says Cooper. 

Residents are advised to avoid impulsively exchanging money for items from strangers, to trust their instincts when something feels off, and to report suspicious activity. 

“We encourage anyone who has been made the victim of a scam to report it to the police as this helps us enhance public safety by allowing us to determine where best to deploy our resources,” said Cooper.

More fraud prevention tips are available at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the BC RCMP Safety Tips webpage.