“淘金热”变“吞金坑”——多地通报黄金托管骗局，投资者需提高警惕

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rise of gold investment scams in 2025, as the international gold price continues to increase, leading to heightened public interest in gold investments. Criminals exploit this trend by promoting fraudulent schemes under the guise of "gold preservation," resulting in significant financial losses for victims. Local governments in Beijing, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi have issued warnings to the public to remain vigilant against illegal financial activities [1]. Group 1: Typical Methods of "Gold Investment" Scams - "Storage Gold Interest" Scam: Jewelry stores lure consumers by promising high monthly interest rates (0.5%-1%) for purchasing gold without taking physical possession. A case from 2015-2022 involved a company illegally raising 400 million yuan, leading to over 200 million yuan in losses [2]. - "Leasing Rebate" Scam: Consumers enter into fictitious leasing contracts with associated companies, expecting rental returns. This scheme relies on a Ponzi structure, with no real gold transactions taking place [3]. - "Virtual Investment" Scam: Fraudsters create fake gold trading platforms, promising high returns and manipulating data to create a false sense of profit. Victims often find themselves unable to withdraw funds after investing [4]. Group 2: Main Characteristics of "Gold Investment" Scams - High Returns Temptation: Scams promise "capital protection and high interest" with returns significantly exceeding traditional bank investment products [5]. - False Projects: Scammers fabricate "gold custody" and "gold investment" projects, exaggerating their operational capabilities to create a façade of legitimacy [6]. - Concealed Fund Operations: Funds are not managed in designated accounts and lack regulatory oversight, often diverted for personal use in real estate or securities [6]. - New Funds for Old Payments: These scams depend on incoming funds to pay earlier investors, leading to collapse once the funding chain breaks [7]. Group 3: Risk Warnings and Prevention Suggestions - Recognize Legal Channels: Legitimate gold investment methods include purchasing physical gold from authorized stores or banks, investing in gold accumulation products, gold ETFs, or futures contracts through regulated channels [8]. - Verify Qualifications: Investors should check the credentials of institutions through official channels to ensure they have the necessary financial licenses [9]. - Resist High-Interest Temptations: Investors should be cautious of promises of guaranteed returns and avoid unsolicited investment opportunities [9]. - Protect Personal Information: Individuals should safeguard sensitive information and consult with family before making investment decisions [10].