Suspect uses fake gold coin to steal bracelet in Çayırova

Last week in Çayırova, a suspect entered a jewelry store and tried to buy a necklace with a counterfeit quarter gold coin. While distracting the clerk, the suspect asked to see bracelets, grabbed one, and fled as staff examined the fake coin. Security cameras recorded the incident.

Gebze Jewelers Association President Savaş Kılıç said police quickly apprehended the suspect and recovered the stolen bracelet. He noted that jewelers use alarm systems, panic buttons, and coordination with police to prevent such crimes.

“No jeweler sells fake gold.”

Kılıç reported a recent rise in counterfeit gold, including fake branded coins, quarter, half, and full gold coins, and 22-carat bracelets. He said jewelers test every purchase with acid, touchstone, and karat meters, and never accept items without verification.

Kılıç emphasized that counterfeit goods are not knowingly sold by jewelers. He urged citizens to ask if a shop is a member of the Gebze Jewelers Association, covering Gebze, Çayırova, Dilovası, and Darıca, adding the association bears no responsibility for non-member businesses.

Kılıç warned that genuine and fake items of the same brand and weight are visually indistinguishable. He also cautioned against after-hours offers such as "no cash, take gold instead."