A woman in Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, China, fell victim to a shocking gold theft after trusting a vendor at a local market who claimed to “clean and reshape gold jewelry for free.” She handed over her gold bracelet without hesitation, only to find it softer and lighter when returned. Alarmed, she reported the incident to the police.
Investigations revealed that the vendor had secretly used Aqua Regia, also known as the “king of acids,” a highly corrosive and oxidizing chemical capable of dissolving precious metals like gold (Au) and platinum (Pt).
According to reports, the suspect, surnamed Yu, approached the woman, surnamed Wang, and persuaded her, saying, “Your gold bracelet is deformed; let me help reshape and clean it for free.” The vendor then heated the bracelet and soaked it in Aqua Regia, effectively stealing the gold content.
Police weighed the bracelet after Wang’s report and found it had decreased from 28 grams to 22.67 grams—a loss of 5.33 grams of gold. Yu admitted to using chemical reactions to extract the metal and has been taken into criminal custody.
Experts note that reputable jewelry stores strictly regulate the handling of gold and do not use dangerous chemicals like Aqua Regia. Customers are advised to choose licensed vendors who provide receipts and certified scales to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
