RCMP say you need to be aware of a scam that’s being reported across the province.
They say the scam has made its way to the Quad Counties.
Police say it preys on people just trying to help.
Jennifer Clarke, the RCMP’s provincial media relations officer, tells The Hawk the people behind the scam often seem be trustworthy when they approach their would-be victims on the side of the road.
“Someone appearing to be trustworthy will offer to pay people in jewellery for money for gas, things like that.” she says. “The people that are offering this usually appear to be quite trustworthy, you might see family with them or children or things like that- the thing is, in a lot of cases I think the jewellery is coming back as being counterfeit.”
Clarke says people want to help when they can, but it’s important to realize you might be getting scammed.
“I think in general, as with a lot of the other scams, people want to trust people who appear to be in a jam, and they want to do the right thing in their own mind and help out,” she says. “In this case, it’s quite often a scam, and they’re getting jewellery that is worthless for the money that they’ve given these people.”
Clarke says you’re encouraged to contact police if you’re approached by someone you think is using this scam.
She says a description of the people and their vehicle is helpful in their investigation.