It’s an old scam that is being resurrected around the country, and here in Hawaii, victims are being bilked out of thousands of dollars.
Hawaii Island police recently renewed their warning to the public about the scam involving the selling of counterfeit jewelry. Over the past two months, police have seen an increase in the reports of these types of scams and have initiated multiple theft investigations.
The stories being told are similar. Victims are being approached in public places and are being told by the scammers that they are visitors and are selling rare or gold jewelry because they lost their wallet and identification and need money for gas or to purchase plane tickets back to their home country.
Some victims reported the perpetrators had small children in their car, telling the victim they needed money to buy their children food or diapers.
Sharon Gilbert, owner of Lehua Jewelers in Waimea and president of the Hawaii Jewelers Association, said she has had about eight victims come to her store looking for appraisals of the jewelry the purchased, only to find out they were fakes.
“They are very well-organized and very well-trained,” Gilbert said of the scammers. “There could be lots more victims out there that are just wearing the items thinking they are real gold.”
Gilbert, who has owned the store for 37 years, said the number of victims coming in for appraisals is unprecedented. She added, based on her encounters with victims, that the scammers are primarily targeting those of Filipino descent.
“They were literally asking the question ‘Are you Filipino?’ They obviously were trained to target older Filipino men who typically love jewelry and carry cash, although they seem to be broadening their targets,” she said.
Gilbert noted the scammers are approaching victims in public parking lots, and even in neighborhoods.
West Hawaii Today reached out to a handful of other jewelers and pawn shops, each of which indicated they recently have had victims come into their establishments with fake Rolex watches and fake gold jewelry stamped 18 karat.
John Kang, owner of Da Hock Shop in Kona, said he has encountered about 15 victims at his store in the last month. Big Island Jewelers, Kona Diamond Company and Golden Egg Cash Assets also reported victims at their respective establishments.
Last month a 33-year-old man from Washington, identified as Vasile Calin, was charged with first-degree theft and criminal simulation after a 62-year-old Kailua-Kona resident reported he had been a victim of theft. The resident told police he was approached by two men who told him that they were visitors and needed cash because their credit card did not work.
Police said the 62-year-old then paid Calin an undisclosed amount of money in exchange for the jewelry, which he was told was real 18 karat gold. However, after getting it appraised, the man learned that the jewelry was fake.
Hawaii Police Department Area II Major Sherry Bird said the police hasn’t seen an abundance of reports from victims of the scam on the west side of the island.
“If you are approached by somebody and offered something that seems too good to be true , it more than likely is,” she said. “It’s unfortunate, but nowadays we always have to have our feelers out and verify that before you make any exchange of cash to go to the jewelry store and make sure that in fact it is real.”
Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said the only way to hold the scammers accountable is to report them.
“These scams are real. Victims should not be ashamed to report them,” he said.
Waltjen said based on social media posts, a lot of people in the community are aware of the scam tactics.
He suggested people approached with this scam should take notice of the individual(s) physical characteristics (approximate height, weight and distinguishable features) and vehicle information (make, model and color license plate number).
“This information will help assist law enforcement when the crimes are reported,” he said.
Police also issued a statement saying if you or someone you know has fallen victim to this jewelry scam, to have them contact the police department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.