A major counterfeit gold jewellery scam was uncovered in Surat’s Sarathana area, resulting in the arrest of 12 individuals accused of selling imitation gold with fake hallmark stamps. The gang reportedly mixed just 23% gold with other metals but fraudulently sold the items as 100% pure gold, using forged hallmarks to deceive buyers.
The scam surfaced when the main accused, Vivek Soni, and an associate attempted to sell fake gold chains to a local jewellery showroom. Suspecting the quality, the jeweller alerted the police. This prompted a raid at Rudraksh Society in the Velanja area, under Utran Police Station’s jurisdiction.
During the raid, authorities discovered a sophisticated counterfeit jewellery manufacturing operation. They seized four ready-made imitation chains, machinery used in production, and counterfeit hallmark stamps.
Investigations revealed the gang had been skillfully introducing fake gold jewellery into the market, passing it off as genuine. Twelve people were arrested at the site, with further interrogations expected to uncover links to other cities in Gujarat.
Officials highlighted the technical expertise and organized nature of the racket, pointing to the increasing complexity of gold fraud cases.
Police have urged jewellers and the public to remain vigilant, verify hallmarks carefully, and buy gold only from certified government-authorized sellers.
This case underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of hallmarking standards and tighter surveillance in the gold trade to prevent such fraudulent schemes.
