New Westminster police warn of jewelry scammers targeting seniors
Posted April 23, 2025 4:00 pm.
Police in New Westminster are warning the public after recent thefts in the city involving jewelry.
The New Westminster Police Department says it has been made aware of people selling fake jewelry and stealing genuine articles.
On March 18, police say a senior citizen was approached by an alleged fraudster on 7th Avenue near 18th Street in the mid-afternoon.
“The fraudster engaged the victim in brief conversation before giving the victim fake gold jewelry and stealing the real jewelry worn by the victim,” police said in a release Wednesday.
The stolen items reportedly amount to an approximate value of $3,000.
Police allege the incident is part of a trend in which fraudsters approach seniors in public and engage them until they can rob the victim or accompany them to an ATM to help make an illicit sale.
The release also noted an incident in early April in which a woman allegedly attempted to steal a gold necklace from another woman on 8th Street near Royal Avenue around 11 a.m.
The New Westminster Police Department is investigating the March 18 incident and asks anyone with information that could lead to the identification of the suspect to come forward.
“If you see suspicious activity like this, we encourage you to call 9-1-1. That’s very likely to be a theft in progress,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver added.
