# Counterfeit jewelry and precious metal fraud in Japan > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/counterfeit-jewelry-and-precious-metal-fraud-in-japan > Updated: 2026-09-21T02:19:23.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Authorities in Japan have issued warnings regarding different methods of precious metal and jewelry fraud. In early September, the Consumer Affairs Agency reported a surge in fraudulent websites impersonating reputable brands like Tanaka Kikinzoku and Mikimoto. These scams use social media advertisements to offer extreme discounts on items such as 24K gold coins and pearl necklaces. Investigations found that the gold products were often composed of copper and iron, while the pearls were plastic imitations. These fraudulent sites typically operate via cash on delivery from outside Japan. Later in September, the Metropolitan Police Department issued a separate warning concerning a surge in counterfeit jewelry entering the secondhand market. Specifically, fraudulent necklaces made of gold-plated tantalum have been brought to pawnshops and secondhand stores across multiple prefectures. Police noted that tantalum is difficult to detect through simple density measurements because its specific gravity is similar to 18-karat gold, prompting calls for more rigorous component testing. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-21: Metropolitan Police warn of gold-plated tantalum counterfeits The Metropolitan Police Department warned buyers of gold-plated tantalum necklaces being sold as 18-karat gold, noting similar fraudulent cases occurred in Tokyo and Hyogo. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-police-warn-of-gold-plated-tantalum-counterfeits ### 2026-09-03: Consumer Affairs Agency warns of counterfeit gold and pearl scams Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency warned of fraudulent websites impersonating Tanaka Kikinzoku and Mikimoto to sell counterfeit gold and pearls via social media ads. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/consumer-affairs-agency-warns-of-counterfeit-gold-and-pearl-scams --- Cite as: Counterfeit jewelry and precious metal fraud in Japan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/counterfeit-jewelry-and-precious-metal-fraud-in-japan