The Washington State Patrol is warning travelers of a scam involving people attempting to sell fake gold on freeways across the state.
“Besides being illegal, these situations are also unsafe, as the scammers are stopping on freeways and ramps in attempts to sell fake gold. They have even stepped out into traffic, flagging drivers to pull over,” the Washington State Patrol said in a news release.
In District 5, which covers Lewis, Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat and Skamania counties in Southwest Washington, the state patrol received 61 reports of “gold sellers” in 2024 and 57 reports between Jan. 1 and April 17, 2025.
“We would like the public to be aware of these scams as the number of reports continues to increase. The reports we received are historically similar to other calls we receive across the state,” the Washington State Patrol said in the news release.
Drivers are advised to avoid talking to the scammers and to safely remove themselves from the situation if they encounter scammers on the freeway.
“Call 911 as soon as possible and provide a location and description of these scammers and their vehicles,” the state patrol advised. “We are actively investigating these reports as they come in. We ask the public to be mindful of potential scams and stay vigilant when traveling on the roadways.”
