Good Sunday Afternoon Luckythewinner, The Pamp & Perth bars shown on their auctions are chinese counterfeit/replica's and go against the VERO copyright code of eBay. It is a shame eBay got rid of the guides, because many folk's had tips about such problems. If your curious though, for one...their Pamp bar should not have any details shown on the front of her coins (they should be smooth) & both "pictured" Perth's & Pamp's are shown as too thick. You can tell by the photos. The back of those Pamp's (if shown) would also have an "F" like image in it's bar code. All Pamp's QR code's would come up bad. Sadly, old members have been policing eBay since about 2012 when the influx of China counterfeit Gold really started to develop from those two Chinese website's that start with an "A" and copyright our own American Gold Eagle along with any other mfg. you can think of. Here was our eBay Guide on Gold & Tips, and you can also check out the FakeBullion website to see all the current examples of counterfeits caught & their stories. Good examples. Here was that eBay Guide also.
Beware of Buying Replica/Fake Gold and Silver Bars & Coins!
***BEWARE, BE SAFE, AND DO RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BUY!***
It's sad to see so many people being duped into buying "knock-off" and "replica" Gold & Silver bars thinking that they are getting "the real thing." If their "bullion" purchased does turn out to be bad, then there is only so long they will have with eBay's or Paypal's money back policies. The worst outcome would be for those who just "lock" them away, only to find out in the future that they are just sitting on copper bars with gold plating. Having been a buyer & seller on eBay since 2002, the last 5 years has sure been "rocky" avoiding these fakes. Here our just some personal tips for those who share a common goal to rid this site of "unscrupulous sellers" who "taint" the numismatic market & are destroying "trust" for those who buy bullion.
Believe me, if someone told you your house was on fire, I hope you would care?
While in my opinion, Perth bars have been the most affected, followed by older Pamps, the real scary part now is the new fake "Veriscan" Pamps from 5 grams up, and new Apmex 1 ounce, 10 gram and 5 gram bars. Readers out there may also know some of their own personal favorites? Even RCM bars are counterfeited. Beware! Everyone should also check out the "FakeBullion" website to see current examples of what is being sold "today" as counterfeit. They cover all mints and also report on current crimes & show images and examples of fraudulent Gold & Silver bars!
(While not covering Silver here, here are a few tips on buying Gold off of eBay that may be considered)
1. Always check a "Sellers" feedback first and do a "completed listings" search on that seller to see how they built up their Feedback.
2. Always compare the bar your thinking about purchasing with another "well-established seller" if a picture is available. Be very cautious also of the "thickness" of the bar! Sadly, most "fraudulent bullion" sales I see are those showing only "Stock" pictures of the item & be cautious if they do not show the back of bar. Some also "white-out" the bar's serial number, (but that is their preference especially if they are trying to move a large volume.)
3. Be careful with those who have quick 24 hour auctions, low feedback, those who have had several "different ID changes" recently, and those who have had no account activity over a long time - (some older accounts are actually "hacked into" and "set up" by the thief!) Also look out for those who are selling Gold at an "obvious" discount. Gold is always set at a fixed price, and between eBay & Paypal fees, there is a good percentage that these folk's who are selling for so low are "very questionable!" Always ask your seller questions too, if you have one. No response back from the seller may mean there's a red flag right there!
4. Just because it's in a "Tamper Proof package" doesn't make it 100% real. Sadly, in this day and age, if you are buying anything over 2.5 grams of Gold...and you "are suspicious"...get it checked out by a professional! A local coin store should be able to help you.
5. Good things come in small packages! Even though you may have to pay a few more dollars over spot, buying Gold in one gram, 2.5 gram or MCM's 1/10th ounce packages can be considered. While Pamp, Apmex & MCM were all fun, Sunshine Minting 1 gram bars are also nice along with their "Graphic Security Systems MINT MARK SI" Clear Card to check your bars with. It works on "all sizes" of their Sunshine line. (This "code card" is purchased separately however.)
6. Finding a trusted and reputable seller on eBay and getting to know them is also a great thing to consider!
7. TIPS: {MOST IMPORTANT THESE DAYS!} Most obvious way to tell a "fake" new Chinese "VeriScan" PAMP Gold bar is to look for a "F" like image on it's bar code on reverse of the bar near the left top corner. You will note that all QR codes on these bars are identical! Don't be stupid and don't be fooled!
8. TIPS: Most obvious way to spot a "fake" Chinese Green CertiCard Perth Gold bar is there must be a space between the letters of "UR" in word of "SECURITY CASE" on the front of the bar!
{So far, it seems that the counterfeiter's have been producing "items" starting at 2.5 grams to 5 grams and larger, because smaller is harder to reproduce, but you never know what might come along in the future?}
As I said on my Twitter page the other day:
"Counterfeiters are just as worse as terrorists!"
I still wonder why the United States Secret Service still allows these two Chinese web sites that start with an "A" to continue to sell these almost "exact replica pieces" right down to our own "American 1 ounce Gold Eagle" (without a 'COPY' mark included)? [China does make their own rules though, but undermining the numismatic industry with their "fakes" is a major crime] Guess our government has larger problems at the moment, and as long as it doesn't interfere with America's "Fiat currency," I guess all is fine. It used to be a shame when a 'few' bad apples spoiled the entire basket, but that expression doesn't even cover the subject anymore. Another great hobby or investment is in jeopardy by the evils of dishonesty. Even the experts are being fooled!
In my opinion, China should stop polluting the World with their counterfeit trash.
Be careful & buy safe, or it may come back to haunt you someday! Good luck to all Seller's and Buyer's! Have a nice Sunday afternoon, Luckythewinner!
