Police issue warning of jewelry scam in Winnipeg

Winnipeg police are issuing a warning to the public after receiving multiple reports of a jewelry scam.

WPS says reports indicate that a “suspicious” woman has been using distraction techniques in an effort to steal jewelry from people in the Windsor Park neighbourhood.

The first of the incidents in question happened on Sept. 22, around 6:15 p.m.

Reports indicate that a woman in her 70s had been walking her dog near Autumnwood Drive and Drake Boulevard when she was approached by a vehicle.

After the vehicle stopped, a man and woman exited the vehicle, and began a conversation saying they wanted to “gift a stranger with some jewelry.”

During the conversation, the woman who exited the vehicle grabbed the victim’s wrist and tried to show her jewelry such as a bracelet and a necklace.

While this was happening, the woman’s jewelry would be taken, with the victim not realizing until the duo fled in their vehicle.

Police say a second incident happened around 5 p.m. on Oct. 25, when a woman in her 60s was waiting at a bus stop near Speers Road and Elizabeth Road.

Similarly to the first incident, the woman was approached by a vehicle and a man and a woman exited and began a conversation.

During the conversation, the woman said the victim’s jewelry reminded her of her mother’s, and she grabbed ahold of the victim, and again tried showing her jewerly.

Following this, the duo once again got into their vehicle, and fled, with the victim realizing their necklace had been stolen after the fact.

Police note in both incidents, the victim’s real gold jewellery was replaced with costume jewellery before they fled.

The woman in both incidents has been described as between 40 and 50-years-old and was wearing a head scarf.

The vehicle has also been described as a red or maroon-coloured SUV or van.

Police are asking if anyone has any information or who may have been a victim of this type of crime, to contact investigators at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.