Two Women Arrested for Pawning Fake Gold Across Bangkok and Provinces

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Authorities in Bangkok have apprehended two women involved in an elaborate scam, where they pawned fake gold jewelry at various gold shops. The women used real gold clasps on counterfeit gold necklaces, tricking shop owners into believing the entire piece was genuine.

 

Following an investigation led by the online patrol unit of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, officials became aware of a group of criminals targeting gold shops in Bangkok and other provinces, causing significant financial harm to shop owners. Acting on the orders of Police General Torsak Sukwimol, National Police Chief, and Police General Kittirat Phanpet, Deputy Police Chief, efforts were intensified to catch the perpetrators.

 

 

On September 26, police teams arrested two suspects:

 

1. Ms. Chanidta, 39, from Bangkok’s Bang Kapi district, who was wanted under six separate warrants for fraud, including from courts in Samut Sakhon, Chonburi, and Kanchanaburi. She was apprehended at a condominium on Ladprao Road.

   

2. Mrs. Sukanya, 39, from Samut Prakan province, wanted on a fraud warrant from Nonthaburi Court, was arrested outside an ice factory in Bueng Kum, Bangkok.

 

The arrests came after an incident on December 11, 2023, when Mrs. Sukanya pawned a 45.75-gram gold necklace at a well-known gold shop in Central Chaengwattana. The shop initially confirmed the gold was 96.5% pure and accepted it as genuine, paying 90,827 baht to the suspect. Later, the shop discovered the necklace was fake after the clasp came apart when exposed to heat, revealing it was glued together. Upon realising the fraud, the shop reported the incident to the police.

 

During questioning, both suspects admitted to pawning fake gold, stating they received real gold clasps from a man known only as "Bird." They claimed they were paid 5,000 baht per baht of gold pawned. However, the police remain skeptical and are continuing their investigation to identify the mastermind behind the operation.

 

The first suspect has been transferred to Samut Sakhon Provincial Police for legal proceedings, while the second suspect has been handed over to Pak Kret Police for prosecution.

 

Police Major General Teeradej Thamsuthee warned gold shop owners and the public about the sophisticated method these criminals used, by attaching real gold clasps to counterfeit gold chains. He urged people to be cautious when buying or pawning gold, advising them to only deal with reputable shops and look for the Gold Traders Association certification.

 

Picture courtesy of Siam News

 

-- 2024-09-29