Police are warning area residents to be on the alert for unsavory crooks operating a fake gold scam that is ripping off people in our community.

Police from 22 Division have arrested a “group of individuals on the side of major streets scamming unsuspecting victims with false affection and compliments,” according to a Tweet.

Officers warn residents to create a physical distance if group members “try to hug you and stop accepting their fake gold rings or necklaces.”

The suspects usually embrace the victims in a show of false affection, according to police. They then offer fake rings or necklaces in exchange for cash, which they say they require for an emergency.

They may relate stories about being out of gas and need cash and are willing to part with their fake gold jewellery.

One woman told police a suspect pulled out her jewelry and said her family business made rings and necklaces out of gold. The woman showed her photos of the jewelry being made, she said.

“When I saw the 18-karat symbol on a ring I thought it was real gold,” the victim said.

She said the suspect told her that she would be doing a huge favour if she bought all the jewelry to help her fund her trip.

The suspect said she needed the cash and would give all the jewelry she had for $1,000.

The victim said she believed the suspect and went to an ATM and took out $1,000 cash and paid for the jewelry.

The woman, she said, hugged and kissed her and then fled the area.

Police say the suspects target victims in this crime of opportunity and may pick their wallets, steal their money, or real gold jewellery.

Another resident said she was approached outside a grocery store by suspects, who asked for gas money claiming he had to drive to Hamilton because his daughter was sick.

Police said to walk away and do not engage with the people offering jewellery for sale at low prices.

“If it is too good to be true, it probably is,” according to one detective.

The suspects can be be men or women and they operate in groups of two or more.

If you have any doubts call police at 416-808-2200.