People have lost several thousands of dollars in a gold jewelry scam across Washington, and it all unfolded on highways traveled every day. FOX13
Trooper Rick Johnson said the jewelry is practically worthless, but like fool’s gold, it deceptively appears valuable. He said the fake jewelry is bait thieves use to hustle people out of their money, preying on people along highways and off-ramps statewide.Washington State Patrol saw an increase in reports of the gold scam. Johnson said thieves park on highway shoulders or off ramps and step out into traffic flagging down drivers.
"[They’re] well-dressed in a higher-end rental car saying they need money to get back home—one was to Miami, or wherever it is. And in exchange for the money to help them get home, they’ll have you hold onto this gold. And one individual said we’ll send you back twice as much as what you’re giving us," Johnson explained.
In some cases, the suspects eventually convinced the drivers to take them to a bank or ATM to withdraw cash. Johnson said people handed over several thousands of dollars, not realizing the transaction was actually a rip-off. "In the past two weeks, [they got] one [person] for $10,000, one for $4,000 and one for $1,000," said Johnson.
In the past two weeks, Washington State Patrol said three people in King County reported the scam at the intersections of SR 520 & I-405, SR 18 & SR 516, and I-405 & I-5. Johnson said he believed there could be more victims out there who weren’t reporting the crime.He mentioned Washington State Patrol reviews luxury rental car records as part of the investigation, but need the public’s help in tracking down the crooks.
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