Conmen selling bogus tanzanite
Over 64 cases relating to a multi-million-Rand tanzanite fraud syndicate are under investigation.
Private Investigator Shaun Pearce, who has been working on these cases, says the crime ring is well organised and smart, operating in all major cities across the country, including Durban.
The gang sells coloured glass, passing it off as uncut tanzanite gems.
Pearce says four people are usually in play: the jeweller and tester, another who brokers the deal, a seller and a buyer.
Pearce says the suspects are experienced conmen who have been secretly operating for more than a decade.
"There are guys that have bonded their houses and taken money out. A guy in Johannesburg lost R1.1-million. My client in Richards Bay lost R700 000. A guy phoned me last night. They confronted him while he was walking in Ushaka.
"The public have to know about this. They really have to know about it. The public needs to be able to get back to us if they're approached by any of these syndicates," he said.
(File photo)