Social media becomes a goldmine' for fraudsters in Jordan

"Jordanians looking for a bargain are being scammed with false promises of cheap gold in a growing trend of online fraud. Fake online advertisements and social media groups are luring people in Jordan with promises of quick profits from cheap gold with sellers disappearing once funds have been transferred or customers defrauded with counterfeit and substandard metals, Jordanians tell Al Jazeera."

"Mohammed Nassar said he was quoted a price for gold lower than local market rates due to an online store claiming it was exempt from manufacturing fees, government licensing costs or shop rents. The Jordanian shopper transferred the money to secure what he thought was a bargain before the website disappeared and Nassar realised he had become the victim of a scam."

"In another case, a young woman named Tala Al-Habashneh told Al Jazeera that she bought gold through a social media platform after agreeing with the seller and transferring the promised amount. On closer examination of the product, she found that her gold was counterfeit, mixed with other metals and lacking any official stamps or invoices to prove its origin or carat. Tala immediately filed a complaint with the Cybercrime Directorate of Jordan's Public Security Directorate. The case is pending."

"Wafaa Al-Momani, assistant director general for Regulatory Affairs and director of the Jewelry Directorate at the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO), told Al Jazeera that the institution is the only entity in the kingdom responsible for monitoring precious metal jewellery such as gold, silver and platinum and overseeing jewellery trading. All imported jewellery is examined and stamped by the JSMO before being released onto the market, she said, while local workshops are also required to submit jewellery for inspection and verification before it can be sold."

Scammers in Jordan use online advertisements and social media groups to lure people with promises of cheap gold and quick profits. Victims are quoted prices below local market rates through claims of exemptions from manufacturing fees, licensing costs, or shop rents. After customers transfer money, websites vanish and sellers disappear. Other victims receive counterfeit gold mixed with other metals and without official stamps or invoices proving origin or carat. Complaints can be filed with Jordan’s Cybercrime Directorate, and cases may remain pending. The Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation monitors precious metal jewellery and oversees jewellery trading. Imported jewellery is examined and stamped before release, and local workshops must submit items for inspection and verification before sale.

Read at www.aljazeera.com