After the recent leak of Medicare card numbers, authorities have begun investigations on dark web marketplaces. While scavenging the black markets, they came across several products that raised alarm: fake gold bars said to be from Perth Mint, a WA Police identification card, counterfeit Bankwest credit cards, and utility bills.
The fake gold bars specifically are causing quite the stir among authorities. The Netherlands-based vendor is offering the fake gold bars for $50, and boasts of the authenticity level and financial possibilities on their vendor page.
“Normal people buy gold to hold it, never open the package and scratch it to verify. These are by far the best bars available and are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
This bar looks 100% like the original, and is without the crimping on the edges. They will pass the X-ray test but not the scratch test. I will leave it to your imagination the possibilities with these.”
Apparently, fake gold bar circulation has been an ongoing issue for “many mints throughout the world”. A Perth Mint spokesman speculated on the matter,
“The Perth Mint is continually looking for ways to mitigate the issue and stay ahead of technological advancements in counterfeit production. Generally, counterfeit goods are produced cheaply to be sold cheaply.
Should a buyer come across what might appear to be Australian bullion being offered at below market value, they should treat this with extreme caution. The Perth Mint emphasizes that this is a situation of buyer beware.”
The issue might be ongoing, but authorities are trying their hardest to put an end to it. Just recently, two Oregon citizens were sentenced for selling the fake gold bars – along with Rolex watches – online. The two citizens, both 17, made approximately $60,000 selling the fake gold bars.
Both teens agreed to pay restitution to their victims.