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By Chris Brown

Be wary

‘If it’s too good to be true, it is not real’

Jul 10, 2020 | 1:38 PM

For the second time in as many days officers are warning about fake gold/jewelry scams.

This warning is coming from the Medicine Hat Police Service after an incident in the Flats area of the city. Police were notified of the incident on July 9.

They say the victim was approached by persons of Middle Eastern descent and said they were selling gold and silver jewelry valued at $60,000 for a much cheaper price.

Only later, after having a substantial amount of money, did the victim learn the gold is worthless.

The accused was driving a newer model light green Chevrolet Equinox

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MHPS Sgt. Gerald Sadlemyer says there’s a reason jewelry stores exist.

“That’s where you buy your goods from,” he says. “Somebody in a van or a vehicle on the side of the road that’s offering you a good deal – if it’s too good to be true, it is not real.”

Sadlemyer adds the location of this particular incident is peculiar.

“Usually it happens in high traffic areas like big box store parking lots. I can’t remember when we’ve had one downtown in the Maple Avenue area. That’s odd for sure but they do occur.”

And these scams aren’t the only ones people need to be aware of.

“We have the CRA fraud scams, there’s bank scams. Your banks aren’t going to be calling you up and say ‘pay us money.’ Be wary of anybody that you don’t know,” Sadlemyer advises.

RELATED: Gold scams, distraction thefts on the rise across Alberta

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation can call the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).