What I can only describe as a heartless band of con artists has been wreaking havoc across Canada this summer. Police have at least 63 reports of the “hugging bandits” cozying up to folks before nabbing their jewelry and racing off in a car with license plates from Ontario, Quebec, or B.C.

Police say the group is either a family or simply has a “strong nexus” that poses as a family. Edmonton police Const. Shiva Shunmugam adds that the con artists “live together” and “move together in most occurrences.” Their crime spree is “Canada-wide.”

The ‘hugging bandits’ crime spree

In several cases in B.C., a woman showered seniors with compliments while a male accomplice swapped the seniors’ jewelry out for worthless fakes. An Ottawa couple in their 90s had their rings and necklaces stolen in a similar incident.

In Winnipeg, a man with a child asked victims for travel money, offering up gold jewelry in exchange. His jewelry ended up being fake.

In Edmonton, a 70-year-old woman stopped to talk with a man who insisted she looked like his deceased grandmother. He stole her necklace for her troubles.

Police are warning Canadians to be cautious

The most common con seems to be a family unit approaching older people in places such as grocery store parking lots, striking up conversation, then asking for a hug or for a “blessing” to get close enough to steal their jewelry.

Three women have been charged with some of the crimes, but police have warrants out for three more suspects. Shunmugam warns Canadians, “Don’t let people in your personal space.” He says it doesn’t matter if the con artist is trying to confuse you or be overly friendly—“tell them to stop” and insist that “you will call the police.”