By: Ava Hanner, FCSO Public Affairs Officer
On January 11, 2023, FCSO deputies were alerted to a victim who had been defrauded earlier that day while at the RaceTrac gas station at the intersection of SR100 and Seminole Woods Boulevard. The victim told deputies that he was at the gas station fueling his vehicle when he was approached by a man claiming to be from Colorado with his family, and on vacation in Florida.
The suspect allegedly told the victim that he was visiting Disney World with his family and accidentally left his money and wallet in their hotel room – and that he needed money. The suspect offered to sell the victim gold jewelry in exchange for $1,000, and claimed that the jewelry was authentic.
The victim went to the bank and withdrew $1,000 in order to pay for the jewelry, and then returned to the gas station to pay for the jewelry. After completing the purchase, the victim went to a local pawn shop who advised the victim that the jewelry was not real gold.
FCSO is attempting to gather surveillance footage from the business in order to identify the suspect. “Remember, if something seems too good to be true – it probably is,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Only buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler or business. Hopefully we will be able to identify and arrest the suspect and prevent them from continuing this scam.”
Tips for avoiding this type of scam:
- Only buy from reputable jewelers or businesses.
- Say no, and walk away from anyone trying to sell you anything unexpectedly.
- Call a friend or family member to get their advice on whether it is a good idea.
Keith
January 14, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Something similar happened to me only the guy was middle easterner and said he was from Dubai and lost his wallet and needed gas.
joan
January 14, 2023 at 1:04 pm
those are romanian gypsy asylum seekers in us they work the scam around us making a lots of money
Gloria k
January 14, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Oh yes we had a man with a woman and children in the SUV, here in St.Petersburg, Florida with the same BS at Winn Dixie parking lot four months ago. They were Spanish people’s.
Rachel
January 14, 2023 at 2:53 pm
This same incident happened to my fiance on Thanksgiving same man must have been the same person He sold my fiance brass jewelry that is stamped with 18 and 14 carat markings beware they are not real we also went to a pawn shop and got told the same thing He also told us he was on vacation but he didn’t say Colorado He listed somewhere else and that he left his money in a hotel room and assumed that the housekeeping didn’t turn it in honestly and he felt bad for them and was scammed by the same guy I’m sure.!!!
Michele Tolle
January 14, 2023 at 9:11 pm
I have been warning people in Crestview of this scam since I started working at a local pawnshop in September 2021. It’s always the same guy. Unfortunately we have kind hearted people who have been taken advantage of.
TR
January 14, 2023 at 10:07 pm
With all the scams out there that happen over the years why do people still fall for this stuff? I would have said ok lets go to a pawn shop or jewelry store and get the jewelry appraised and watch the guy run like hell.
TR
January 14, 2023 at 10:09 pm
Add: Maybe they can check the surveillance cameras at the RaceTrak gas station and see if they can get some sore of face picture and put it all over the news.
Robert Joseph Fortier
January 18, 2023 at 6:45 am
If it seems too good to be true…it usually is.