Be Aware
Alberta RCMP warn of organized swarming-style jewellery scams
Jun 16, 2025 | 4:48 PM
Alberta RCMP say they have received a number of reports related to gold and jewellery scams targeting people in parking lots across the province.
Mounties say the scam follows a similar pattern or process as follows:
- Victim is approached, often in a parking lot or flagged down by a seemingly stranded motorist.
- Scammer claims they need money for food, gas, or airfare to get home, and offer fake gold or jewellery for exchange.
- Victims are sometimes accompanied by the scammer to a bank ATM to withdraw cash or to a store to purchase gift cards.
- In some cases, its been reported the scammers use distraction techniques to remove real jewellery from a victim, and replace it with fake jewellery.
- Scammers also utilize a distraction technique in businesses in order to steal higher-value items.
- The scammer often cites hardship, such as the recent death of a family member, or referencing sad-looking children in their vehicles in order to solicit a sympathetic response from victims. This can include reference to religion or prayer.
- In most cases, the scammers are driving rental vehicles with out-of-province licence plates from Quebec, Ontario, or British Columbia.
Police say it is important to be aware while you are out in public. Always secure your valuables, and only purchase gold or jewellery from a reputable dealer. RCMP warn that if someone approaches you in this manner, walk away.
