WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Washington State Patrol has been dealing with reports of and have made contact in some cases with “gold scammers” who prey on good Samaritans who stop to provide roadside assistance.
Earlier this month WSP Trooper Kelsey Harding issued an alert warning of an increase in Snohomish County of motorists appearing to have broken down and presenting fake gold jewelry to people who stop to provide assistance, offering it for gas or cash as a way to help them out.
On February 13th, Harding said, “Today one was caught in the act. This was the fake gold he was in possession of.”
On February 16th, Harding said a trooper saw 2 men flagging down traffic next to their vehicle on the shoulder of the road. When they noticed the trooper paying attention to them, they got in their vehicle and drove away. The trooper stopped the vehicle and both men were found to be in possession of fake gold.
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Click for more informationToday, February 20th, there were multiple reports of gold scammers operating out a of Mercedes-Benz with a temporary Texas registration in Whatcom County. Troopers located and contacted the occupants on the Sunset Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5. The occupants “stated they were attempting to sell their ‘gold plated’ rings and jewelry for only $5,” according to Harding.
The Mercedes-Benz had also been reported to have been driving erratically on I-5 with a small child on the front seat passenger’s lap. A child under 4-years-old was among the occupants but no child seat was found. None of the occupants had a valid driver’s license and since the vehicle was stopped in a tow zone, it was impounded.
Harding said, “They are in the Sunset Drive area so be aware of the gold scam they have been attempting to pull on good Samaritans up and down Interstate 5.”