Two Women Arrested in Huesca for Selling Fake Gold Bars Worth €39,000. Two women from Bilbao were detained in Huesca after attempting to sell 17 counterfeit gold bars. The store lost nearly €39,000. The court released the suspects on bail and restricted them from leaving the area.
In Huesca, police have arrested two women suspected of running a large-scale fraud scheme involving the sale of counterfeit gold bars. According to law enforcement, the residents of Bilbao, aged 21 and 50, traveled to Aragon specifically for transactions with the local 'Compro oro' shop. Over two visits—in February and April—they sold 17 bars, which turned out to be fake. The total loss for the shop amounted to €38,970.
The scheme appeared convincing: each bar was sealed in an individual blister pack, which could not be opened without allegedly voiding its guaranteed value. Authenticity was checked by serial number and QR code on the packaging. However, when the shop sent the bars to be melted down, it was discovered that inside was only a layer of gold, while the main mass was counterfeit.
The arrest took place on May 26, when the women again tried to sell similar bars at the same shop. Staff immediately notified police, and upon arrival, officers established that these were the same individuals as in previous incidents. After the arrest, the court in Huesca released both women on bail, but the investigation is ongoing.
According to RUSSPAIN, such schemes for selling counterfeit precious metals in Spain are rare, but the damage to stores can be significant. In recent years, police have stepped up control over the gold buying market, and owners of such establishments are advised to have each incoming item independently appraised. There have been reports of jewelry fraud in other regions of the country as well, but amounts this large are seldom involved. For comparison, in a recent feature about a TV host's life away from the cameras, it was reported how residents of small towns face different everyday risks, not related to financial crimes.
Authorities remind: when buying or selling precious metals, it is important to demand supporting documents and not to trust packaging or outward signs of authenticity. 'Compro oro' stores and similar outlets remain under close police scrutiny, especially after incidents like these.
