True and false mixed
Currently, people's demand for gold is still very high, but buying gold is difficult at official gold sales channels. Therefore, many people have found ways to buy and sell gold through other channels such as: E-commerce platforms, social networks Facebook, TikTok...
According to Lao Dong, in recent days, on the social network Facebook, there have appeared many closed and public groups for exchanging and transferring gold, silver, and precious stones. Through investigation, these groups are quite active, posting statuses on buying and selling gold, silver, and precious stones are diverse and continuously receive comments from members.
At the group "Buy, Sell, Trade SJC Gold Bars" on Facebook with more than 19,600 members, information related to buying - selling and exchanging gold received many interactions. An anonymous account posted the status: "Buy 10 taels of 896 gold in Thanh Xuan, if anyone has it, I will send a private message", immediately there were comments in response such as: "Send a private message, if you need the goods, you will have them", "direct transaction, 100% reputable"...
On the selling side, on the social network Tiktok, fake gold rings are being sold everywhere with all kinds of prices from only a few tens of thousands to less than 300,000 VND/tael.
Posing as a customer who needed to buy a plain round gold ring, the reporter was introduced by a Tiktok account named Kim Bao Loc to a "1-tael traditional design ring for men and women" priced at 339,000 VND. When the reporter questioned the accuracy of the gold, this person affirmed: "There is still gold in the ring, but the amount of gold is only at a relative level. The remaining parts of the ring we make are no different from real gold."
Risk of buying fake gold
Market Management Team No. 18 under the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department has continuously discovered, inspected and seized a large number of goods of unknown origin and origin, counterfeiting trademarks being offered for sale on social networking sites. In Hoc Mon district alone, the authorities have imposed a fine of nearly VND350 million, confiscated goods worth more than VND210 million and forced the destruction of goods worth nearly VND60 million.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Tri Long - former Director of the Institute of Price Research (Ministry of Finance), currently, gold trading requires a license and meets strict conditions. Gold trading shops without a license to buy and sell gold will be severely punished if discovered, but they still do it regardless because of the profit and sharp price fluctuations.
This activity is similar to illegal trading of USD, so they do it secretly without daring to be open and transparent. In addition to the seller, the buyer will face great risks such as the possibility of having all the gold confiscated or being heavily fined if discovered.
"Unlicensed gold traders often create price differences to make people feel that they have a better chance of buying gold bars at these establishments. But in reality, buying and selling gold outside like this is risky, unsafe, and can lead to losses. In particular, if you are not careful, you may buy fake gold, imitation gold, or low-quality gold," Mr. Long emphasized.
