央视曝黄金骗局，23家金店出事，涉案金额巨大，许多百姓上当受骗

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the collapse of Yongkun Gold, a well-established gold retail chain in China, which led to significant financial losses for investors due to its fraudulent practices [4][34]. Company Overview - Yongkun Gold operated 23 stores across Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shandong, attracting local investors due to its long-standing presence and physical locations [2][4]. - The company offered various gold-related services, including gold purchase, custody, and high-interest returns on investments, which lured many customers [6][9]. Business Model - Customers could buy gold but did not receive physical gold; instead, it was held in custody by Yongkun Gold, promising high annual interest rates between 6.5% and 10% [7][9]. - A contract clause required customers to pay a 5% custody fee if they did not fulfill the agreement, leading many to never see the physical gold they purchased [11][28]. - Yongkun Gold also operated an online platform, Yongkun Mall, where customers could pre-order gold and receive refunds if prices fell, further enticing investors [13][16]. Incident of Collapse - On May 20, 2025, all withdrawal services ceased, and the 23 stores closed, resulting in significant financial losses for investors, with estimates of losses reaching around 4 billion [28][30][32]. - Customers discovered that they could not retrieve their gold or cash from the online platform, leading to widespread panic and realization of the fraud [30][34]. Legal and Insurance Aspects - Victims sought compensation through insurance, but the policies only covered specific disasters like earthquakes or fires, leaving them without recourse for their losses [33][34]. - The incident has drawn attention from law enforcement and media, with investigations underway to address the fraudulent activities of Yongkun Gold [34][35].