Gem-A, a London-based organization that provides gemology and diamond education in 26 countries, has issued a warning over “diamond solitaire rings that are being mailed, apparently randomly, to people in the UK and northern Europe,” according to IDEX Online.
Gem-A, called the case “baffling and worrying”, and explained that parcels of diamond rings are being sent with a fake identification certificate bearing Gem-A’s logo, “but with a spelling error in its name – Gemological Association of Great Britain.” The correct British spelling is gemmological – with a double m.
They also include logos of the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), Platinum Guild International, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
According to Gem-A, this has been happening since March, but the scam has escalated in recent weeks.
Alan Hart, Gem-A’s CEO, said: “We have received no reports of follow-up requests from the sender(s) attempting to extort money or data from any of the recipients of these fraudulent parcels. However, we are asking everyone to be on high alert […]. This strange pattern of behaviour whereby unsuspecting members of the public receive items of jewelry with fake ‘identification certificates’ is baffling and worrying.”
