Gold rush gone wrong: Buyer & seller clash over counterfeit claims

A heated dispute erupted between a seller and a buyer over allegations of selling fake gold online. The seller insists the gold is genuine, while the buyer claims a loss of faith and calls for legal action.

Yesterday, September 23, at Maleenont Tower on Rama IV Road, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Mae Tuck, Kornkanok Suwannabut, along with her husband Beer, addressed the controversy surrounding accusations of selling fake gold. They clarified that the gold sold at their store had been verified on a popular TV programme as being 99% genuine.

They urged the media to report accurately, assuring that their store only sells real gold. They also offered to buy back the Phee Sia gold items at full price from any dissatisfied customers who could provide proof of purchase from the TV program, emphasising their commitment to honesty and transparency.

The store and the family have faced significant backlash due to the spread of false information. Beer, speaking with a trembling voice, stated that their participation in the program was to protect their rights and their daughter’s reputation, which had been tarnished by the unfounded accusations. Their daughter has also faced ridicule as a result.

The controversy intensified when a video by 37 year old Aphinun Duendao, also known as Satang, from Uttaradit Province, went viral. In the video, Stang accused the store of selling fake gold, claiming that a gold necklace and other items purchased from the store were not accepted by other gold shops due to insufficient gold content. Aphinun mentioned that numerous people had contacted him via TikTok, Facebook, and Line, sharing similar experiences of being unable to sell gold bought from the store.

Tuck’s lawyer noted that no formal legal actions had been initiated yet, and the matter would be resolved in court if necessary. Kornkanok urged the media to present the truth, insisting that she had no reason to flee the country and that her business was legitimate and not a Ponzi scheme. She emphasised that online shopping should not be discredited and that her store, like many other businesses, adheres to high standards.

Fake gold

Another affected individual, 40 year old Piyatida Sooknai, also known as Kwang, had bought over 100,000 baht (US$3,030) worth of gold from the store. She believed in the store owner’s charitable nature but was disappointed when the gold could not be sold.

She recounted an incident where her mother, unable to sell the gold, angrily threw it back at her, accusing her of gifting fake gold. Despite knowing the gold was fake for two years, Piyatida felt powerless due to the store’s influence and attempted to seek explanations during livestreams, only to be blocked.

Wongphaka Chanakan, also known as Fai, another buyer, expressed her frustration with the store’s practices. She criticised the store for not providing clear information about the gold’s weight and for delivering damaged items.

Despite purchasing the gold in 2021, she found it impossible to sell it at any gold shop by 2022. One shop even expressed shock at the price she had paid and suggested she return it to the original store, as the gold lacked any branding or certification marks, reported KhaoSod.

The group of affected buyers, united by their shared experiences, plans to file a formal complaint and pursue legal action. They hope to hold the store accountable and prevent others from falling victim to similar scams. They advised potential buyers to be cautious with online purchases, especially of high-value items, and to not be easily swayed by marketing tactics.