Crime ring reportedly targeting Arlington residents

Organized crime ring scamming Arlington, WA shoppers

Arlington residents are urged to stay vigilant as reports surface of a cunning crime ring swindling unsuspecting shoppers with fake jewelry.

ARLINGTON, Wash. - Arlington police are asking the public to be extra vigilant after they’ve received reports of an organized crime ring targeting people across the city and scamming them.

Police said the group is selling fake gold jewelry and swindling people out of their money. It’s happening up and down the I-5 corridor, outside of stores like Safeway and Walmart, as well as the Pilot Travel Center.

"I don’t like it, I think they need to be arrested or kicked out of here," Lori Clark said.

The FBI identified the group as part of Romanian criminal organizations, according to Arlington police. They added, these individuals enter stores in groups, distract people, then steal things.

They also pose as stranded drivers faking medical emergencies, or using children in a ploy to sell fake gold jewelry.

What they're saying:

"They’ll take whatever they can get, they’ll take $20, $100, $1000," said Jimmy Metz, co-owner of Lizzy’s Jewelry.

"I feel like if people are buying gold from a parking lot that’s probably not legitimate," Amanda O’Malley said.

At Lizzy’s Jewelry, it’s their business to spot the real from the fake.

"We can see that it’s fake, and the customer really believes it’s real, and it’s worth $1,000, and it’s not worth anything," Metz said.

Metz told FOX 13 this is something they’ve been dealing with on and off again for five years.

"Sometimes we’ll see like five people a day for a week or two," Metz said.

The group plays on people’s emotions. The innocent shoppers will buy the fake jewelry, then come into their store to sell it.

"They don’t care about jewelry, they didn’t really want the ring, they don’t care about a necklace, they were doing it because they wanted to help these people get to the next town or whatever their story is," Metz said.

Police are now urging people who live in Arlington to stay alert.

"Please tell all of your friends and family members," Metz said. "Don’t get sucked into the scam," he added.

Arlington police say if you see any suspicious activity, always report it and call 911.

The Source: Information in this story is from Arlington Police and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.