Couple Swindles Woman Out Of $6K With Fake Diamonds

COVINA (CBSLA.com) — Police are searching for a two people who swindled an elderly woman out of $6,000 by selling fake diamonds to her.

The victim was approached on Aug. 21 near a Rite Aid store by a woman who identified herself as Lupe Garcia and offered to sell her some diamonds that turned out to be worthless, Covina police Sgt. Ray Marquez said.

The female suspect spoke mostly Spanish.

As part of the scam, a male accomplice walked up to the two women in both English and Spanish, translating what the suspect was saying. The suspects convinced the victim that the diamonds were real by telling her a story that claimed a connection with a professional jeweler.

The victim withdrew money from her bank and paid the suspects, who handed over the fake diamonds and left.

Both suspects were Latino. The man was about 35 to 40 years old, 5-foot-4 and about 200 pounds. The female suspect was described as about 60 years old, 5-foot-1 and 150 pounds.

Anyone with information about the scam can call police at (626) 384-5618.

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