A man was apprehended for purportedly vending counterfeit gold bars as copper bullion near a service station on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The individual, a 33-year-old from Hornsby, New South Wales, was taken into custody after allegedly duping buyers with gold-plated copper bars. The arrest transpired at a Glass House Mountains service station following a meeting arranged online on June 10, where he purportedly traded three bars for cash.

Upon independent testing, the purchased bullion was revealed to be copper with a gold overlay. Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield emphasized the deceptive nature of the scam, noting the bars’ convincing appearance and slightly heavier weight than authentic gold. The man faces multiple charges, including fraud and possessing tainted property.

Authorities suspect there may be additional victims who unwittingly acquired similar fraudulent bullion and encourage them to report to the police. Senior Sergeant Mansfield urged caution and advised potential buyers to conduct thorough research before making purchases, emphasizing the importance of dealing with reputable dealers rather than engaging in transactions at informal locations like service stations.

The accused individual is scheduled to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 4 to address the allegations against him. The incident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the prevalence of scams in the bullion market and underscoring the necessity for vigilance among consumers. Law enforcement officials stress the significance of due diligence when engaging in such transactions to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.