A Langford jeweller is warning residents of a scam thatB次元官网网址檚 become alarmingly common in recent months.

Cory Kowalchuk, owner of Westshore Jewelry, says heB次元官网网址檚 had at least 40 people come in the past few months looking to verify or sell jewelry they got through the same scam.

Kowalchuk says people are usually approached by a couple, sometimes with children, saying theyB次元官网网址檝e lost their wallets and need money to get the ferry. They then offer the target B次元官网网址渆xpensiveB次元官网网址� jewelry at cut-rate prices. When people come to KowalchukB次元官网网址檚 store to re-sell it or verify its authenticity, thatB次元官网网址檚 when they find out theyB次元官网网址檝e been tricked.

B次元官网网址淪ome people have been really upset, some laugh it off, some feel like theyB次元官网网址檝e been taken advantage of. You can see it on their face that, B次元官网网址極h, I should have known better.B次元官网网址� ThatB次元官网网址檚 heartbreaking when you see somebody whoB次元官网网址檚 been duped.B次元官网网址�

Kowalchuk says heB次元官网网址檚 often seen tradespeople targeted in large parking lots like at the Westshore Town Centre. TheyB次元官网网址檒l offer rings or bands, often looking rough or unpolished, and usually brass or gold in colour, often embossed with B次元官网网址�18 karat gold.B次元官网网址� Kowalchuk says sometimes theyB次元官网网址檙e selling for as little as $20, but has seen people lose up to $700 through the scam.

B次元官网网址淥ne guy comes out of the bank and gives her the $300 and she started crying. SheB次元官网网址檚 like, B次元官网网址業 paid so much money for this. Are you sure you canB次元官网网址檛 give me some more?B次元官网网址� They already won. They already got something for nothing and the greedy B次元官网网址� needed to double down and take more of this guyB次元官网网址檚 money. That really burns me.B次元官网网址�

West Shore RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Nancy Saggar says theyB次元官网网址檝e had a couple of reports last year about similar incidents and one that came in on Tuesday (April 11).

B次元官网网址淥ftentimes fraudsters use emotional stories to draw in a victim. If you come across a suspicious encounter like this one, call police to report it and do not purchase the item,B次元官网网址� she says in an email. B次元官网网址淲e recommend consumers avoid buying high-valued items like jewelry from anyone or place other than reputable businesses.B次元官网网址�

Kowalchuk echoes that advice, saying if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.

READ MORE: 3,500-litres of diesel, tank, forklift stolen from Langford construction site

bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
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