Fake Gold Nugget Scam Attempt Foiled: A Real Case at Our Office

Looking to sell gold in Singapore safely? Before you do, learn from this real case — where a fake gold nugget almost fooled the untrained eye. At BuyGold.sg, we use advanced gold testing to prevent scams like this from affecting honest customers. On an afternoon in March 2025, we encountered a concerning yet increasingly common attempt to pass off a fake gold nugget as genuine bullion.

Scam Attempt by Two Individuals

At Gold Price Singapore Pte Ltd, we recently exposed a fraudulent gold nugget during routine in-house testing. Two men — one in his mid-30s and the other in his mid-50s arrived at our office claiming they had a rare, natural gold nugget for sale. They presented a large, round nugget, boasting it was over 1 kilogram in weight. Alongside the nugget, they provided small “sample pieces” which they claimed were extracted from the main nugget.

They insisted these samples had been tested previously and showed 99.9% (999) gold purity, using this as evidence that the entire nugget was genuine and highly valuable.

Fake Gold Nugget Scam Attempt Foiled: A Real Case at Our Office

Our Testing Process with Niton XL2 XRF Analyzer

As a trusted gold dealer in Singapore, we proceeded with our standard verification using our Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 XRF Analyzer, a non-destructive instrument capable of identifying the elemental composition of precious metals accurately.

Sample pieces (provided separately) showed 999 purity — consistent with 24K gold.
The main nugget, however, told a very different story. The XRF scan revealed:
Extremely high copper content
0% gold detected

The Scam Tactic: Bait-and-Switch with Real Gold Samples

This is a classic scam method used by fraudulent sellers:

Real gold sample pieces are extracted from actual bullion and used to "prove" the authenticity of a larger, fake item.
The main item — in this case, the nugget — is actually made from a cheap metal alloy (like copper or brass) and has no real gold content.

Drill holes at the back of the nugget suggested an attempt to make it appear tested — a common tactic used to deceive buyers who don't verify the entire item.

Outcome: Scam Rejected — Buyers Walked Away

Upon revealing our XRF results, we immediately rejected the deal and refused to purchase the item. We informed the individuals that the nugget contained no gold and did not match the purity of their sample pieces. As a trusted gold buyer in Singapore, we protected our clients by identifying and stopping this fake gold scam.”

They quickly packed up and left our office without further dispute.

Why It Matters: Don’t Get Fooled by Fake Nuggets

Gold scammers are becoming more sophisticated. Without proper testing equipment and professional verification, even experienced buyers and sellers can fall victim to bait-and-switch tricks. Many people looking to sell gold in Singapore get scammed due to poor authentication. As a trusted gold buyer, we test every item using XRF analysis and PMV Pro technology.

Planning to Sell Gold in Singapore? Read This First

If you’re planning to sell gold in Singapore, whether it’s a bar, nugget, coin, or old jewellery — don’t take risks.

Always verify authenticity using proper tools like:

XRF Composition Analysis
PMV Pro Scanning
Weight and Density Cross-checking

Why Choose BuyGold.sg

BuyGold.sg is trusted by thousands of customers for a reason:

Instant Payment on the Spot
Transparent Live Gold Rates
Over 500 Five-Star Reviews
Professional Testing Equipment
No Middlemen, No Hidden Fees

We operate with integrity — and we test every single item in front of you. Whether you're selling gold bars, jewellery, or coins, we ensure you’re never scammed.

Visit our dedicated page to Sell Gold in Singapore with confidence.

“Even the best-looking gold can be fake. Always test it before you sell.” - Billy Chiam, Director of BuyGold.sg"