Police say a Winnipeg man believing he was helping a traveller and his family journey to Halifax is a victim of fraud.

The Winnipeg Police Service is asking Winnipegers to use caution when approached with potential scams after one Winnipeg man was the victim of fraud. 

On Wednesday, July 8, a Winnipeg man was taking an evening walk along the 3500 block of Portage Avenue. The 24-year-old says that a man in a vehicle approached him, sharing that the man was in need of money to help him and his family travel to Halifax.

The suspect then showed the 24-year-old what the suspect claimed was gold worth between $5,000 and $10,000, asking for help.

Police say the 24-year-old victim believed the man's story and was willing to aid the suspect and the suspect's supposed family. Authorities say the 24-year-old then purchased a "significant number of gift cards" for the man in exchange for the gold.

Later, the 24-year-old discovered the gold was fake and shared his story with the Winnipeg Police Service.

The Financial Crime Unit is now investigating this incident.