Traveling Suspects Arrested Two suspects have been arrested for selling fake Suisse Pamp carded gold bars(2.5gm, 5gm,10gm and 1 ounce) at a coin shop in Greenwood, Indiana. Search of the suspects vehicle revealed multiple identification cards, business and pamphlets from different coin shops and an additional 250 fake gold bars and coins. Based upon receipts located in the vehicle the suspects had been selling the fake gold to shops in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana since September, 2014. The suspects were driving a silver Ford Focus with Missouri license plates. The suspects are being held for Theft by Deception. Aaron Taylor Western Union, IL Second suspect was identified as Nelson Hernandez (No photo available) alias Benjamin Wade. Anyone having been in contact with either of these subjects should contact: Doug Davis 817-723-7231 Doug@numismaticcrimes.org
Yeah I got an email about this! Chalk one up for the good hard working coin dealers and to hell with them edited language: Read the rules. criminals.
I spoke to Apmex today and they told me they have been getting some fake bars recently that required their high tech equipment to interdict. They said they don't even sell the really big bars anymore due to the risk of problems.
Glad they got caught! I had heard about people selling fake gold in the area. From what I heard, the only way you could tell they were fake was a specific gravity test. These bars were plated in gold and had the correct weight, etc... so most test's would indicate they were real.
Unfortunately until something is done about the actual source of these things whether it be fake coins or bars, etc. These types of things will continue to occur over and over. Even the amendments to the hobby protection act, which are a nice gesture in theory to protect the hobby. But really who's going to enforce these laws overseas where they have no standing, as we all know where most counterfeits originate from. Laws certainly aren't going to stop someone making counterfeits or selling them overseas and then enterprising criminals trying to pass them off for a quick buck in the U.S.
I'm thinking that the technology of the 3D printer will make it as easy to counterfeit a Rolls as the laser printer did a car payment.
