Bangkok: A cunning young man was swiftly apprehended after being caught pawning fake gold. He was found to have done this seven times previously, claiming he was hired by someone on social media. Cash totaling 520,000 baht was seized and returned to the latest victim.
According to Thai News Agency, police from Thung Song Hong Police Station, along with investigative officers, arrested Mr. Wichsarut, 29, from Uthai Thani Province. Items seized included the clothing he wore during the crime, a gold-colored bracelet he was wearing, a 10-baht fake gold necklace, and a car. The arrest took place late on the night of December 15th near the Phibul Songkram Bridge on Pracha Rat Sai 1 Road, Bang Sue Subdistrict, Bang Sue District, Bangkok.
This arrest stems from an investigation that revealed a suspect had pawned a fake gold necklace at a gold shop, receiving 520,000 baht in cash. A review of the shop’s CCTV footage identified the suspect as Mr. Wichsarut, leading to his arrest.
Mr. Wichsarut admitted to pawning the fake gold necklace at the gold shop, but gave inconsistent statements about the 520,000 baht he received. He claimed that someone he knew through social media asked him to pawn the gold at a specific shop, and that he had previously pawned fake gold seven times in the Ladprao, Bang Saen, Pattaya, and Sattahip areas of Chonburi province.
The shop owner admitted that they made a mistake in the verification process. However, they explained that gold shops are usually hesitant to scratch or cut necklaces brought in for pawn due to the potential for significant damage. They accepted this particular necklace because it appeared identical to the real thing upon visual inspection and weighing. Further investigation revealed it bore the stamp of a well-known gold shop, and the clasp, tested with a chemical solution, also confirmed it was genuine gold.
However, the suspect admitted to using crystal methamphetamine before being taken to Thung Song Hong Police Station to face charges of fraud and possession of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine or “ya ba”).