Scam artists using Tri-Cities interstate to sell costume jewelry for real money

Cameron Probert
·2 min read
1

Investigators are trying to find suspects peddling cheap jewelry at high prices along the side of Tri-City highways.

So far five people have come forward saying they interacted with the scam artists, who have been haunting the side of Tri-Cities highways for the past two weeks.

And Washington State Patrol detectives are hoping more witnesses will come forward.

At least four suspects have been standing on the side of interstates and highways in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Benton City and Prosser. They’ve also been known to park their high-end rental cars on the side of on-ramps and exits, Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorson said.

The suspects are dressed nicely, and will tell their intended victims that they’ve run out of gas and need to get some cash quickly to get back home. In exchange, they’ll sell electronics, jewelry or watches in exchange for cash.

Typically, the scam artists are aggressive and demand cash, Thorson said.

People have reported seeing the seemingly disabled motorists flagging down traffic several times during the last two weeks, but most of the time by the time troopers arrived they were gone.

The Washington State Patrol said scammers used this Ford Expedition to lure in potential victims on the side of a Tri-City highway.
The Washington State Patrol said scammers used this Ford Expedition to lure in potential victims on the side of a Tri-City highway.

Troopers have come across the scam artists three times between Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Monday, Oct. 9. Twice at on the ramp from Road 100 to Interstate 82 and once on the off-ramp from Interstate 82 to Benton City. In each of the cases, the suspects had Romanian driver’s licenses.

The first time the suspect was trying to sell Air Pod headphones and jewelry, the second, an adult man and 15-year-old were selling gold and watches. In the final interaction, the man said he wasn’t selling anything, they stated they were just parked and waiting for a friend.

This isn’t the first time scam artists have used the highways to try and sell cheap jewelry and electronics, Thorson said.

Chains, rings and a watch were recovered as part of a King County investigation in March.
Chains, rings and a watch were recovered as part of a King County investigation in March.

Troopers in King County investigated a similar scam in March. In those cases, they conned between several hundred dollars to $10,000 from people.

Kennewick police warned people in June about scammers selling costume jewelry in parking lots while claiming it was worth a lot of money.

Anyone who encountered the scammers are asked to contact the Washington State Patrol tip line at 509-239-6742.