Well Dressed Scammers Have Been Approaching People With Sob Stories & Phony Jewelry, Cops Say

They Say They Need Money To Get Home 

TROOPER REPORT, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023

The Alaska State Troopers have received several reports of a jewelry scam that has been occurring in the Anchorage area and is now being reported in other parts of the state, from Homer to Fairbanks. The general premise is that a group of people will ask a citizen to buy their jewelry so they may use the money to get home. The victim citizens later learn that the jewelry they bought is fake.

The suspects involved in this scam have been described as well-dressed men or women who appear foreign in both their clothing and their speech. 

The suspects have approached citizens in parking lots and at residences. They also appeared to have “broken down” on the side of the road or run out of gas. When the suspects make contact, they will attempt to sell gold jewelry. It has been reported that the suspects will become verbally aggressive when a citizen refuses to buy the jewelry.

Anyone who has been approached by the suspects (whether they gave the suspects money or not), who has not yet notified the police, can call the Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks at (907) 451-5100 or your local police department. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can submit tips through the AKTips smartphone app or online at https://a.tip411.com/alerts/86405. You can also text the keyword AKTips to 847411 followed by your anonymous tip.