The Sacramento Police Department is investigating a re-emergence of a scam that entices victims into buying fake bars of gold.

On March 18, 2010, the victim was shopping in the 3600 block of Truxel Road when she was approached by a female Hispanic who spoke to her in Spanish.  The suspect told the victim that she was from Mexico and that her relative was sick and needed money for hospital bills.  A male Hispanic then approached, asking the victim if she would like to help by buying a bar of gold from them at a reduced price.  The victim agreed to the transaction and withdrew money from her bank.  The victim bought the gold bar thinking she had helped a family in need while making some money at the same time.  Later, the victim went to a jewelry store and found out the gold was fake.

The suspects are described as follows: #1-male Hispanic, 60 years old, 5'5", 130 lbs, skinny, wearing a grey and beige beanie, beige t-shirt, and beige jeans, #2- female Hispanic, 45 years old, 5'0", 165 lbs, heavy build, and shoulder-length brown hair. 

Although anyone could be a victim of this crime, the suspects have been targeting Hispanic females.  The Police Department would like to remind everyone that if approached for anything that involves giving money, especially when required to go to the bank to withdraw the funds, to not go through with the transaction and to call the police.  A common theme in scams is that they prey on both the desire to do something for a good cause while making a profit at the same time.  The old adage of if "it's too good to be true then it probably is," applies to most of the scams we come across. 

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES).  Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.  Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.