Brits warned of common souvenir scam sweeping Europe

What better way to keep the holiday memories alive than with a unique piece of jewellery to remember your dream trip by? However, an expert has warned Britons to be cautious about the type of jewellery they are buying – especially when you are told something is made from gold.

Rick Kanda, managing director at The Gold Bullion Company, explained that fake gold is often found at tourist destinations across Europe and the wider world.

“We regularly see fake or counterfeit gold coins, gold bars and gold jewellery items that have been unwittingly bought by UK citizens whilst overseas,” explained Rick.

“In recent years we have encountered numerous chunky ‘gold’ rings that are marked 18k but are actually made entirely of brass. Another recent trend has produced numerous ’18 carat gold’ necklaces that are either plated or very low purity but fitted with hallmarked gold clasps.

“These items result from customers buying ‘gold’ chains of whatever length they need from a roll of chain displayed in a shop. The shopkeeper then fits genuine clasps to the fake chain and the customer has been massively scammed.”

One of the best ways to ensure you are only purchasing the real deal is by buying from reputable, established jewellers or from heavily regulated markets. Rick added: “Avoid street vendors or shops selling cheap gold as a sideline alongside other tourist souvenirs.”

However, if a certain item has caught your eye, there are some additional ways you can ensure you aren’t falling victim to a scam.

Firstly, it’s important to understand what kind of scams are common in the destination you are visiting. “Look online to check if any common scams have been reported in the area,” explained Rick.

“Understanding local practices will help you avoid becoming a victim of a tourist scam trap.”

He continued: “One of the most common ways tourists are scammed is by local street vendors. Avoid purchasing from unlicensed vendors as there is a high chance that the gold they are selling is fake or lower carat than promised.

“Any scammers, whether gold or not, will push you to make purchases quickly. Refrain from buying an item if you are being pressured into buying it as a reputable vendor will allow you to take your time when buying from them.”

Asking for documentation can help you identify if a piece of gold is legitimate. “One way to avoid buying from a non-reputable gold seller is to ask for a certificate of authenticity,” said Rick. “If they are unable to provide legitimate documentation of the purity, weight, and price of the gold you should not make a purchase.”