YEREVAN, July 29 – A case of fraud involving the sale of counterfeit gold jewelry has been uncovered in Yerevan. The incident, which occurred on July 17, involved the ‘Gold World’ store on Khorenatsi Street.
Details of the Incident
At around 2:00 PM on July 17, Edgar S., an individual identified as the deputy head of security for ‘Gold World’, reported the fraudulent activity to the Central Department of the Community Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. He stated that counterfeit gold had been sold at the store.
Upon arrival at the scene, a police team led by a senior community police officer found the store’s tenant, 48-year-old Vahan D. from Kotayk province. Vahan D. pointed out a citizen who, he claimed, had fraudulently sold the fake gold jewelry.
Detention and Investigation
Based on reasonable suspicion of fraud, 41-year-old Sargis M. from Yerevan was apprehended and taken to the Central Police Department. During a personal search, two gold-colored rings were found in his possession.
Documents related to the case have been compiled by the Central Police Department and transferred to the Investigative Department of Kentron and Nork-Marash Administrative Districts of Yerevan City Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia for further investigation.
According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, Edgar S. is the deputy head of security for ‘Gold World’.
Broader Context of Criminal Chronicles in Armenia
This incident is part of a series of criminal events reported in Armenia. Recent days have seen various reports, including:
- Drug Seizure: On July 29, 308 grams of methamphetamine and subutex were discovered in Kanaker-Zeytun.
- Fraudulent Land Sales: On July 29, it was reported that the former head and employees of Amberd sold communal lands and a park to themselves and their relatives through sham auctions. The damage has been recovered.
- Fatal Accident Investigation: On July 29, the preliminary investigation into a criminal case initiated on the occasion of a fatal accident involving six deaths was completed.
- Homicide Investigation: On July 29, it was revealed through investigation that an incident was a murder, not a sudden death, and an individual has been arrested.
These cases highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address various forms of crime across the country.
Related Developments
The uncovering of this counterfeit gold scheme comes amidst other significant developments in Armenia. For instance, there have been discussions regarding the economic implications of Armenia’s membership in the EAEU, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stating that the EAEU is paralyzed and its failure to resolve issues could lead to its demise. Additionally, the value of gold has reached a historical record, making such fraudulent activities potentially more lucrative.
The incident also sheds light on the challenges faced by businesses, with a recent report indicating that Armenian sellers on Wildberries suffered losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars due to attacks on warehouses.
The authorities continue to investigate the counterfeit gold case, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
