Community Alert: Jewelry Swap Scam
Dear Community Members,
We want to inform you about a jewelry scam that has been reported throughout the Bay Area, including here in Santa Clara. This scam, known as "Jewelry Swap Swindling," involves suspects traveling in vehicles and approaching individuals who are walking alone.
Here’s how the scam works:
- The suspect approaches a victim, often engaging in conversation by asking for directions or pretending to know them.
- During the interaction, the suspect may place fake gold jewelry on the victim, sometimes under the guise of gratitude or as part of a friendly gesture, such as a hug or close contact.
- While distracting the victim, the suspect stealthily removes the victim's real jewelry, such as necklaces or rings.
- In some cases, scammers may also offer counterfeit jewelry or fake money to gain the victim’s trust.
What you can do:
- Stay vigilant, especially when walking alone.
- Be cautious of strangers approaching you, particularly those in vehicles.
- Avoid accepting gifts or engaging in close physical contact with strangers.
If you witness or fall victim to this scam:
- Call 911 immediately for crimes in progress.
- If possible, take note of the suspect’s description and their vehicle (make, model, color, license plate). This information can assist law enforcement.
- If the incident has already occurred, contact the Santa Clara Police Department’s non-emergency line at (408) 615-5580 to report it.
This scam recently targeted a grieving widower from Newark, scammers stole wedding rings he cherished as a symbol of his late wife’s love. The heartbreaking theft highlights the cruelty of such crimes. Read more here: https://www.ktvu.com/news/heartless-crime-stealing-dead-womans-wedding-rings.
Your safety is our top priority. Please help spread this message to friends and neighbors to raise awareness and prevent further incidents.
Address/Location
Santa Clara Police Department
601 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 408-615-5580