Surat: A major scam involving counterfeit gold jewellery has been exposed in the Sarathana area of Surat, where police arrested 12 individuals accused of selling imitation gold adorned with fake hallmark stamps. The gang reportedly mixed 23% gold with other metals and falsely sold it as 100% pure gold, complete with fraudulent hallmark impressions to deceive buyers.
As per agency report, the scam came to light when the main accused, identified as Vivek Soni, along with an associate, attempted to sell fake gold chains to a local jewellery showroom. Suspicious of the ornaments' quality, the jeweller immediately alerted the police. In response, investigative teams were formed and a targeted raid was carried out at Rudraksh Society in the Velanja area under the jurisdiction of the Utran Police Station.
During the raid, authorities discovered a full-fledged operation for manufacturing fake gold chains. Police seized four ready-made imitation chains, machinery used to craft the jewellery, and counterfeit hallmark stamps from the premises. Investigations revealed that these counterfeit ornaments were skillfully introduced into the market and sold as genuine gold items.
Twelve individuals were taken into custody from the site, and ongoing interrogations are expected to reveal further connections, possibly linking the operation to other cities across Gujarat. Officials emphasized the technical sophistication and organized nature of the racket, underscoring the growing complexity of gold fraud schemes.
Law enforcement authorities have urged both jewellers and the general public to remain vigilant while purchasing gold. They advised verifying the authenticity of hallmarks and purchasing only from certified sources authorized by government agencies.
This incident highlights the urgent need for tighter surveillance and stricter enforcement of hallmarking standards to combat such fraudulent practices in the gold trade.
