San Francisco police are warning the public about a scam where suspects use fake gold jewelry pieces to swindle victims of their own jewelry.
Police officials said suspects approach victims in public areas and either attempt to sell them fake jewelry or steal the victim’s jewelry using sleight of hand tricks.
Suspects usually place the fake jewelry on a victim’s hand, neck or wrists, and while the victim watches suspects leave in an awaiting vehicle, as they realize their jewelry has been stolen.
Officials believe Mamfred Oinescu, 44, is one of two suspects involved in recent scams. Police said Oinescu has an arrest warrant out for similar crimes.
Police say 20 of these incidents have been reported this year, with a total loss of $55,000. Officials said the suspects have been primarily Asian in the Sunset and Richmond districts.
San Francisco police are working with other agencies to identify suspects and warn the public that the scam is not isolated to The City, but is a problem across the Bay Area.
Police are asking people to file a police report if they believe they have been scammed.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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