Twelve men have been detained in Sharjah for tricking customers into buying fake gold jewellery.
Sharjah Police were pressed into action after several residents complained of being duped.
Investigations revealed that the gang attracted unsuspecting customers with cheap phone deals, before introducing them to their "rare gold pieces" with Islamic inscriptions for special discounts.
The first samples on display would be genuine gold products to gain the customer's trust, but would be swapped with gold-plated metal when the deal was sealed.
Officials said they zeroed in on the 12-member gang after conducting a thorough investigation and all have confessed to the crime.
They admitted that each member had a specific role - from identifying prospective victims, to negotiating and completing the sale, to handling shipment and delivery.
The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.
The authority has called on the public to avoid dealing with unlicensed businesses, and to report suspicious dealers by calling 80040.
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