Beware Of Gold Mixed With Other Metals
KUALA LUMPUR: Gold scam syndicates are now detected to be increasingly cunning, not only deceiving buyers by offering prices far cheaper than the market, but also using metal mixtures such as copper, silver and tungsten to reduce the content of pure gold without the consumer’s knowledge.
What is more concerning, the exclusive expose by the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to Harian Metro shows that most victims were deceived through online transactions, which make it difficult for buyers to check the authenticity of the jewellery before making payment.
Based on official records obtained, KPDN received eight complaints of gold fraud from 2025 until June this year, with five of them involving online purchases.
Of that number, six complaints were recorded throughout 2025, while another two were received for the period from January to June this year.
According to KPDN, the most dominant tactic used by syndicates is offering jewellery at prices that are too cheap and unreasonable compared to market prices to attract buyers.
After the transaction is completed, the victim is believed to receive jewellery that has been manipulated either in terms of purity grade or actual weight, causing the product received not to meet the specifications promised.
The ministry’s inspection and monitoring results also found that there are several types of metals with the potential to be used to reduce the content of pure gold in jewellery.
“Copper and silver are metals commonly found during periodic inspections. Fraud can occur when their content is excessively mixed without informing the consumer, thereby reducing the ratio of pure gold.
“As for tungsten, the metal has a density almost similar to pure gold, thus making detection difficult through ordinary weighing methods and has the potential to confuse consumers if more detailed inspection is not conducted,” according to KPDN.
The ministry also views that the current upward trend in world gold prices may increase the risk of physical gold fraud when irresponsible parties take the opportunity to offer fake gold or low-grade gold at unreasonable promotional prices.
According to KPDN, consumers most at risk are those who buy gold online because they do not have the opportunity to see, inspect or test the authenticity of the jewellery themselves before making payment.
However, to date, KPDN confirms that no complaints have been received involving digital gold investment schemes, with all complaints recorded so far only involving physical gold fraud.
KPDN said it continues to enforce the Trade Descriptions (Articles Made From Precious Metals) Regulations 1994, which mandate the marking of purity standards, the issuance of sales receipts and ensuring that every description related to gold purity displayed is true and valid.
Harian Metro