A 35-year-old woman has been arrested in Taiwan after allegedly using a fake gold necklace to scam a jewellery shop out of NT$1.32 million (approximately RM171,600) in gold jewellery and cash.
The incident took place on September 30 at a jewellery shop along Dehe Road in Yonghe District, New Taipei City. The woman, surnamed Fan, allegedly told the shopkeeper that she wanted to exchange a gold necklace for a lighter one for her younger brother.
Fan presented a necklace weighing eight taels and received a five-tael gold necklace worth approximately NT$880,000 (RM114,400), along with NT$440,000 (RM57,200) in cash.
However, the shopkeeper discovered during inspection that the necklace Fan had handed over was counterfeit. The shopkeeper attempted to stop her but was unable to do so in time, prompting an immediate call to the police.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage, identified Fan and traced her movements. She was located and brought in for questioning within an hour of the incident. Police also recovered the gold necklace and the cash allegedly obtained through the scam.
During questioning, Fan reportedly told police that she wanted to use the method to get some cash to carry with her. She was subsequently referred to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of fraud.
Police have urged jewellery businesses to exercise caution when buying gold or accepting jewellery for exchange, particularly amid rising gold prices. They advised shop owners to thoroughly authenticate items and avoid accepting jewellery of uncertain origin to prevent financial losses.
