Over the last month, the Edmonton Police Service has received multiple reports of females who approach people in large commercial parking lots during daylight hours with items they are selling. The fake items appear to resemble brand name perfume and gold, and are offered for bargain prices.
It is reported that the females appear to be accompanied by males waiting in nearby vehicles while the women walk around the parking lot interacting with the public.
Complainants variously describe the suspects as females with Eastern European, Middle Eastern, or Indian/South Asian accents, dark hair and often wearing long dresses or skirts.
“We see this every year, where travelling groups make the rounds across Canada to sell fraudulent wares,” says Det. Dan Van Den Berg with EPS Northeast Division. “They are often travelling in rented vehicles and offering luxury items at prices that appear too good to be true.”
Members of the public are asked to be wary of such sales attempts, and to report any suspicious activity to police, along with descriptions of the suspects, their vehicles, and their licence plates.
Perfume being offered for sale
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
