Hawai‘i Island police are urging the public to take precautions when purchasing unfamiliar items after a Big Island man was scammed during a recent jewelry purchase in Kona.

33-year-old Vasile Calin of Washington was arrested in Kailua-Kona Monday after a 62-year-old Big Island man reported he was a victim of theft. The Big Island resident told police he was approached by two men who told him that they were visitors and needed cash because their credit card did not work. The 62-year-old then paid Calin an undisclosed amount of money in exchange for jewelry, which he was told was real 18-carat gold. However, after getting it appraised, the man learned the jewelry was fake.
 
Kona Patrol and Community Policing officers located Calin and subsequently arrested him. After conferral with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Calin was charged with theft in the first degree and criminal simulation. He posted the $5,500 bail and is scheduled to appear in Kona District Court on August 11.
 
Posts regarding a group of males soliciting jewelry in exchange for cash at public establishments on island having been making the rounds on social media recently.

HPD Photo