Core Insights - Since 2025, international gold prices have surged over 60%, reaching a peak of $4,300 per ounce in late October, leading to high investment enthusiasm and demand for physical gold [1] - However, as gold's popularity rises, various deceptive practices have emerged, causing significant losses for ordinary investors [1][4] Group 1: Deceptive Practices in Gold Investment - Investors in Shenzhen and Nanjing reported encountering three main scams: "gold wrapped in copper" when buying, "ghost scales" when selling, and "purification depreciation fees" that significantly reduce returns [1][4] - A case study highlighted an investor who purchased a gold bracelet labeled as 999 pure gold, only to discover it was primarily copper upon attempting to sell it, resulting in substantial financial loss and a complicated legal battle [4][5] - Another investor experienced a significant weight loss in gold during the selling process, attributed to the use of manipulated scales by the buyer, leading to a loss of nearly $8,000 [5][7] Group 2: Impact of New Tax Policies - On November 1, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced new tax policies that increased the procurement costs of physical gold bars and jewelry due to a disruption in the VAT deduction chain [3] - As a result, jewelry prices increased by 60-70 yuan per gram on the same day, prompting many investors to shift towards online gold investment options that retain VAT tax benefits [3] Group 3: Shift to Online Gold Investment - In response to the challenges faced in physical gold investment, many ordinary investors are turning to online platforms for gold accumulation and ETFs, which offer lower costs and fewer hidden fees [11][12] - Young investors prefer digital investment methods, such as bank apps and platforms like Alipay, to avoid the high premiums and difficulties associated with physical gold [11][12] - The volatility of the gold market, with prices fluctuating significantly, has led to a more cautious approach among investors, emphasizing the importance of a diversified investment strategy [14][16]