Gold scam

toothpick wrote:How does the Scam work? So people will know about.

Thieves cast a line for greedy victims
'Fishing' for gold remains popular among con men
Published: 10/05/2010 at 12:00 AM

A type of gold theft known as "gold fishing" goes back at least 60 years. However, it is effective, which explains why this simple and easy way of stealing people's jewellery still occurs.

Thieves don't need to rob gold shops, or break into people's homes. They can simply persuade gullible victims to hand over their gold jewellery of their own free will.

"This kind of theft has been around for years. It will never die out as long as people are greedy," says Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy chief of the Crime Suppression Division.

A gold fishing gang comprises two or three members who look for their targets almost anywhere, from bus terminals to markets and shopping malls. Any crowded place is ideal.

First, the gang members choose an area where they can escape easily if a victim discovers their con and cries for help. Next, they look for their target - anyone wearing gold jewellery, from necklaces to rings.

The last step is what Pol Col Sanit categorises as "street play".

A gang member approaches a victim while a second gang member drops a fake golden ornament nearby, which looks higher in value than that of the real jewellery worn by the victim.

The thief, who stays with the victim, points to the fake item and acts as if the pair of them have found it together.

He will suggest this lucky find should be shared between them.

Amid the confusion, Pol Col Sanit said, another gang member will dash in and propose an idea that will allow both to benefit from the find.

The victim will be told to give her jewellery to her new "friend" in exchange for the larger piece they have found on the ground.

The gang member who has befriended the victim will first appear reluctant, but agrees with the suggestion "to save time".

"If a fake gold necklace has [an apparent] value of five baht and the victim's is worth two baht, they will suggest the victim take the fake one," said Pol Col Sanit.

"And then they wait for the victim's greed to kick in."

Many victims agree to hand over their own jewellery in return for the item which they believe they have found by accident.

Pol Col Sanit said the victims become aware they have been deceived when they go to sell the fake item at a gold shop. But by then it's too late.

Police have made few arrests of "gold fishing" thieves even when their victims are able to remember their physical appearance in detail.

Pol Col Sanit once led a team that arrested a member of a gold fishing gang in the North in 1981.

The victim quickly realised he had been fooled, so police were able to catch the thief easily, he said.

The thief tried to bribe police to obtain his freedom. Pol Col Sanit scorned the offer and prosecuted the thief. The court convicted the man of cheating and sent him to jail for two years.

Members of the public can adopt simple safeguards against gold fishing and similar crimes perpetrated by tricksters, said Pol Col Sanit.

"Just don't be greedy," he said.

Contact Crime Track: crimetrack@bangkokpost.co.th