In 2022 and 2023, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office investigated many cases of people selling counterfeit jewelry. These cases were also linked to similar cases in Northern Nevada, and CCSO is warning people not to fall for these scams, according to a Dec. 11 news release.
“These suspects often solicit in casino parking lots and shopping center parking lots that they need money or food to continue their trips,” CCSO said. “They target elderly citizens in parking lots, using high-pressure tactics to sell jewelry to their victims. The jewelry is later determined to be counterfeit. In some cases, the suspect takes their victims to multiple ATMs and casinos, where they pressure the victims to make large withdrawals of money. In some cases, these groups have used force to take cash and jewelry from their victims.”
Other common scams are distracting employees at jewelry stores, or landscaping and asphalt paving jobs where work is not completed after receiving payment, the release said.
CCSO urged residents to be careful.
“Don’t purchase jewelry from persons in parking lots,” according to officials. “The jewelry is most likely fake. Don’t agree to go with anyone to withdraw funds from ATMs.”
Those with information, who witness a crime or become the victim of a crime, can call CCSO Investigation Division, Detective Sam Hatley, at 775-283-7852, CCSO Dispatch at 775-887-2007 or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.