Beware of fake gold certificates

JAKARTA (JP): Logam Mulia, the gold purifying unit of state- owned general mining company PT Aneka Tambang, warned the public yesterday about the use of falsified certificates for gold products.

"There are falsified gold certificates on the market. People should be careful. Before deciding to buy, they should check their legality with our office," said Logam Mulia's general manager, Imam Santoso Ibrahim.

He said that his company has received 50 fake gold certificates, which represent nearly 50 kilograms of gold.

He added that more falsified certificates have yet to be found by his company.

Logam Mulia produces pure gold metals in 2.5, 5 and 10 grams, and pure gold bars in 25, 50 and 100 grams and one kilogram. All the company's gold products have a purity of 99.99 percent and bear the "LM" initial.

He added that the gold purity stated on the faked certificates may not be 99.99 percent.

Logam Mulia -- the only agency in Indonesia which deals with purifying and processing noble metals such as gold, silver, and platinum -- processes 60,000 kilograms of gold per year and 270,000 kilograms of silver.

The unit also produces logos, coins, badges, medals and rings made of noble metals with printed letters. (13)