Nanaimo RCMP say a Good Samaritan is out $150 after being scammed into accepting fake jewelry in return for ferry fare.
The 70-year-old victim told police he was walking along Irwin Road about noon on June 7 when he was approached by a newer-model Dodge Caravan.
He said there were two adults and two youths inside who appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent.
The driver, appearing frantic, told the victim that he and his family had lost all of their money, were low on gas and needed money to buy BC Ferries tickets.
He said the family had plane tickets to Toronto and needed to get to Vancouver airport that day.
The victim said he had travelled extensively and felt sorry for the family, and didn’t hesitate to hand over $150. In return, the driver gave him two large rings from his fingers and a thick gold chain from around his neck.
He said the jewelry was worth much more than $150, and also said that when he got to Toronto, he would call and arrange to repay the money.
He gave the victim a ph0ne number to call.
The victim decided to take the rings and chain to be assessed, and was told at two jewelry stores that they were worthless.
He tried calling the number he was given but it went unanswered.
“These types of scams happen from time to time and in various communities,” said Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien. “We are all Good Samaritans at heart, but sometimes a degree of skepticism is necessary to keep us and our hard-earned money safe from fraudsters.”
For more about frauds and scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at the https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/.
