Police have arrested two men for selling fake gold jewellery on the street.

The con artists, two men of Eastern European decent, allegedly approached their victims on the street or in parking lots, and offered a story of hardship and the need for money to buy gas and food. The men then produced gold jewellery from around their own necks and from their pocket and offered to sell it to the victims at a discount. The gold-coloured chains and rings were falsely stamped with “18k,” symbolizing 18 karat gold. It is not until later that the victim discovered that the jewellery was a worthless fake.

Thirty-nine year-old Florin Mustata has been charged with one count of fraud under $5000. Ion Mustata, 30, has been charged with two counts of fraud under $5000. Both men are scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on Monday, October 6th.

“If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” says Sergeant Randy Fincham of the Vancouver Police Department.

Anyone who has information about this crime is asked to call their local police department or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.