2 Iselin Residents Had Jewelry Stolen In Scam; Stopped By Strangers On The Street

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Woodbridge Police are warning residents to be aware of a jewelry switch scam, which they say happened to two people in the Iselin section this week.

In the scam, people stop to ask residents for directions and then give them costume jewelry as a gift, and steal the victims' actual jewelry while placing the costume jewelry around their necks.

"We had two incidents take place in the Iselin section of town in the past week," said Woodbridge Chief Law Enforcement Officer Brian Murphy.

Here is how the scam works: The suspects approach people when they are outdoors, either walking around their neighborhoods or in their front yards.

The suspects pull up in a van and they engage with their victims in a variety of ways. A white van or white SUV is the best description of the car, said the police chief.

First, they pretend to be lost and ask for directions. The suspects often create confusion, with multiple people talking at once to distract the victim. In one story, the person told the victim they looked like their deceased mother.

To thank the people for giving them directions, they then offer what appears to be gold jewelry as a gift, sometimes claiming it is a religious offering or a blessing.

The suspects actually put the jewelry on their victims: They get close enough to place fake necklaces or bracelets on the victim and while doing so, they covertly remove the victim's actual, valuable jewelry.

"The victims often do not realize their property has been stolen until after the suspects have driven away," said Woodbridge Police. "The reported value of the stolen necklaces has been as high as $5,000. The suspects leave behind the worthless jewelry and in some cases, small amounts of cash."

No arrests have been made and the investigations are active. Anyone with information should call the Woodbridge Police Department at 732-634-7700.