Andorra Police Hunt Gang Using Tungsten-Plated Fake Gold in Scams

Police in Andorra are investigating a suspected organised gang behind multiple scams targeting gold-buying establishments in Andorra la Vella, where fake jewellery coated with a thin layer of gold fooled initial verification tests.

The frauds involved items primarily made of tungsten—a dense metal often used in fishing weights or lead shot substitutes—plated to pass acid tests on scratch samples. In one shop, four different individuals from the group succeeded in selling such pieces on Thursday, with transactions totalling over €6,000. A fifth attempt on Friday raised suspicions; staff rechecked the item, confirmed the deception and alerted police, who filed the formal complaint.

Investigators know of a second successful scam at another business, causing around €2,000 in losses. The gang, comprising at least five non-residents including one woman, approached shops separately at different times. They failed in at least two other locations on Thursday, though those businesses did not report it at the time.

Police deployed a major operation Friday afternoon, mobilising officers and traffic services with checks at the Aixovall roundabout and Soldeu after spotting the suspects' two vehicles in the parish. Identities provided during sales—recorded in police-supervised ledgers—are under verification and shared with Interpol and Europol to check for prior records. At least one suspect has previous links to similar incidents in Andorra.

No arrests have been reported, and police believe the group may have fled but warn of possible returns. Gold dealers are tightening protocols, stressing advanced density checks beyond visual inspections, weighing and acid tests, as basic methods proved insufficient. The sector notes police-monitored registers track seller details, item specs, weights, prices and destinations for traceability.