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Photo: Coupang |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Police have launched an investigation following a complaint that gold products purchased on Coupang were counterfeit, with additional claims that some fake items may still be available for sale on the platform.
According to Yonhap News on March 18, citing the Gimpo Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, a woman in her 60s filed a complaint alleging that gold items she purchased on Coupang—including a necklace, gold bars, and bracelets worth approximately KRW 14 million (about $10,500)—were fake.
In an interview with Yonhap News, the complainant said she bought the items between January 13 and 24 for gifts and investment purposes, trusting the platform. She claimed that when she later attempted to resell the products at the Korea Gold Exchange and local jewelry shops in Gimpo, they were determined to be counterfeit or of low purity.
She also described confusion during the refund process, saying Coupang’s customer service advised her to contact sellers directly. She added that she received about KRW 4 million in refunds for four gold bars from one seller after visiting a store in Seoul, while other sellers were either unreachable or insisted their products were genuine. She further alleged that some of the disputed counterfeit items remain on sale.
Police have completed an initial interview with the complainant and plan to send the submitted gold items to the National Forensic Service for analysis. Authorities said they will identify and investigate the sellers based on purchase records, noting that cases involving counterfeit gold sold via major online platforms are relatively rare.
Amid surging gold prices and rising concerns over counterfeit products, experts advise consumers to verify certifications from trusted institutions such as the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation or relevant industry associations when purchasing gold.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
