The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wish to advise the public regarding a recent report of a jewelry scam in our area.
On March 4, 2025, Northumberland OPP received a report of a possible scam on Dale Road in the Township of Hamilton. The caller stated that a vehicle was parked on the side of the road and that a male was attempting to flag down passing motorists. Believing the individual to be in distress, the caller stopped to offer assistance. At that point, the male claimed he was new to the country and attempted to sell the caller a gold ring. The individual was also observed wearing a large amount of what appeared to be gold jewelry.
The caller politely declined the offer and later reported the incident to the OPP. The male had left the area before police arrived; however, similar scams may occur, with fraudsters approaching the public under the pretense of needing help.
Common tactics used in this type of scam:
Emergency Situations: Scammers claim to be in distress, needing money for gas, vehicle repairs, or other emergencies, and offer gold jewelry as collateral.
Emotional Appeals: Fraudsters may involve well-dressed individuals, sometimes accompanied by children, to gain sympathy and credibility.
High-Pressure Sales: Victims are approached with offers to buy gold jewelry at discounted prices, only to later discover the items are fake.
Preventive Measures:
Exercise Caution: Be wary of unsolicited offers to buy gold or jewelry in public places.
Avoid Transactions: Politely decline offers involving gold or jewelry sales from strangers.
Report Suspicious Activity: Contact local law enforcement if approached by individuals engaging in su ch scams.
For more information on other common scams in Canada, check out the Competition Bureau Canada’s
The Little Black Book of Scams: https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04333.html
For more information on fraud prevention and to report incidents, please visit: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
