American woman buys jewelry worth Rs 6 Crore in Jaipur, shocked to discover it is worth only Rs 300

Charish Nortez, the businesswoman, entered into a transaction with Jaipur-based jewelers Gorav Soni and Rajendra Soni, purchasing what she believed to be high-quality jewelry. Nortez had a long-standing business relationship with the Sonis and trusted their offerings. She bought jewelry worth around Rs 6 crore, thinking it was made of 14-carat gold and adorned with diamonds.

The discovery of the fraud

Nortez’s suspicions arose when she had the jewelry tested at an exhibition in the United States. Testing revealed that the jewelry was 9-karat gold instead of 14-karat and that the diamonds were actually moissanite stones, which are significantly less expensive. Shocked by the deception, Nortez traveled to Jaipur to confront the jewelers.

Legal actions and investigations

During the confrontation, the jewelers filed a counter-charge against Nortez at the Manak Chowk police station in March 2023. The case attracted the attention of the US Embassy, ​​triggering an investigation by the commissioner from Jaipur. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Bajrang Singh Shekhawat, headed the investigation.

During investigation, it was discovered that the hallmark certificates provided by the jewelers were fake. Nand Kishore, who issued these certificates, was arrested. Jewelers Gorav Soni and Rajendra Soni, however, remain at large.

Hallmarking fraud

In India, a hallmarking license is required to manufacture and sell gold. However, the investigation revealed that many jewelers circumvent this requirement by obtaining fake certificates from laboratories, thereby misleading customers. This scam is part of a larger problem of fraudulent practices within the jewelry industry.

Importance of Verifying Authenticity

This case highlights the importance of checking the authenticity of hallmark certificates when purchasing gold and diamond jewelry. Customers are advised to exercise caution and due diligence to avoid falling victim to similar scams.

Authorities are continuing their efforts to apprehend fugitive jewelers and prevent further cases of such fraudulent schemes. As social media platforms expand as markets expand, consumers must remain vigilant to protect themselves from deceptive practices.