Edmonton police are warning the public about the sale of counterfeit gold across the city.
The so-called gold bars are copper bars plated in gold, police said Monday.
Private citizens and businesses should be cautious if they are approached by anyone selling gold bars, police said in a news release. The bars “appear professionally packaged and authentic,” the release said.
The counterfeit gold bars are sold in various weights and price ranges. They weigh between 10 and 31 grams and are being sold for anywhere between $300 and $800 each.
Police have recovered a total of 220 grams of counterfeit gold. Their investigation began late last year after they were told that counterfeit gold bars were being sold to merchants.
Front view of counterfeit gold bar being sold in Edmonton. (Supplied)
“It can be difficult to tell whether this product is real or fake upon first glance,” said Const. Robert Wellon with the criminal investigation section in Northwest Division.
“We tested the product for authenticity and quickly determined these gold bars were nothing more than copper bars plated in gold.”
Wellon said there have been about 20 sales transactions in Edmonton involving the counterfeit gold.
“Store merchants are usually the primary target of this type of crime, but we are now starting to see this product being sold online through buy and sell websites, such as Kijiji.”
All buyers and merchants should ask questions and request a purchase receipt from the seller, police said.
“When something seems too good to be true, it usually is,” Wellon said.