Warnings in Syria are increasing regarding methods of promoting fake gold, which go beyond traditional weight tampering to include forging carats and hiding heavy materials inside jewelry. The director of the General Authority for the Management of Precious Metals, Misbah al-Aswad, confirmed that the most prominent violations seized relate to heavy weights, liras, and ounces, and have been referred to the legal track via criminal security, the public prosecution, and the judiciary.
In the same context, al-Aswad mentioned manipulation methods that include tampering with carats and producing jewelry with low carats, as well as disassembling and reassembling parts of pieces bearing correct stamps to change their specifications. He also pointed out hiding zircon stones inside jewelry in a way that suggests their weight is less than their actual weight, which can reach about 70 grams or more.
For his part, al-Aswad clarified that the authority deals with violations through a graduated scale ranging from written warnings and destroying jewelry to imposing fines, up to permanently revoking licenses in case of repeated violations. He noted that the authority monitors markets through the police and inspection teams, receives citizens' complaints in all governorates, and relies on representatives to address complaints directly or refer them to specialized branches.
He added that the authority monitors goldsmithing fees through field visits and works to restore rights when a violation is proven. Last May, the authority issued a directive prohibiting selling above the daily price or buying below the specified price, and forbidding the sale of used gold before verifying its carat or offering it as new. The directive also mandated clarifying the weights of added stones and ornaments and prohibited publishing prices via social media.
Last January, Minister of Economy Nidal al-Shaar issued two decisions to regulate the market. The first empowers the authority to withdraw licenses from shops buying stolen gold, and the second establishes a special police force for goldsmiths to monitor markets and inspect carats. Al-Aswad emphasized the necessity for buyers to obtain a detailed invoice for new gold and a calibration paper for used gold, especially for heavy weights.
For his part, goldsmith Muhammad Daqmaq stated that fraud exists globally and is linked to the compliance of workshops with standards, noting that color and weight are not enough to ensure safety. Daqmaq advised buying from licensed shops and verifying the existence of the stamp approved by the syndicate, warning against buying online where it is difficult to return to the selling entity.
Damascus Bar Association member Abdul Rahman al-Abdullah clarified that penalties vary depending on the nature of the violation. Article 430 of the Penal Code punishes counterfeiting gold coins with five years in prison and a fine of no less than 5,000 Syrian liras. As for forging gold jewelry, Article 52 of Consumer Protection Law No. 8 of 2021 applies, which stipulates one year in prison and a fine of 10,000 Syrian liras.
Al-Abdullah advised buyers to file a complaint with the Supply Directorate, Consumer Protection, or the competent Public Prosecution, stressing the necessity of buying gold from licensed shops with stamped official invoices. In case of buying used jewelry, he stressed the necessity of conducting the sale through licensed shops to issue a calibration document, with photographing the jewelry with the invoice inside the shop to prove the purchase process.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)