WAYNE – The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, State Office of Weights and Measures, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Wayne Police Department today announced 171 State civil complaints and 30 municipal code violations against 12 jewelers who allegedly violated the laws protecting cash-strapped consumers seeking to trade in their precious metals for money.
The complaints follow a joint undercover sting, appropriately dubbed “Operation Going for Gold.” Each State violation carries a maximum penalty of $500. The Wayne Township municipal code violations each carry a potential penalty of up to $2,000, as well as up to 90 days incarceration, or 90 days community service.
“When consumers choose to part with their jewelry in exchange for cash, it is often a difficult decision made during hard economic times,” Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “Our laws protect those consumers, by helping to ensure transparency by jewelers who price, weigh, and evaluate the precious metals brought in by individuals seeking to sell them. Jewelers who fail to comply with these laws will be held accountable.”
Undercover investigators from the Office of Weights and Measures, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and Wayne Police Department visited a total of six jewelers with individual booths at the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, at 113 Route 46 West; five jewelers with individual booths at the Jewelry Exchange, at 1 West Belt Plaza; and Jewelry by Marcus, at 24 Route 46 East; all in Wayne Township. The investigators brought items of jewelry and offered to sell them at the stores, while observing whether the jewelers followed state laws and municipal ordinances on the buying and selling of precious metals.
“Consumers deserve clear and accurate information when they shop around for the best value for their family’s jewelry. That’s why the Office of Weights and Measures certifies the scales, ensures jewelers test and weigh precious metals right in front of the consumer, and that they provide a detailed receipt about the items purchased,” Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “I commend the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wayne Police Department for their proactive participation in this investigation.”
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said, “In these difficult financial times, law enforcement must continue to work together to protect the rights of civilians from unscrupulous merchants.”
To help ensure consumers are not cheated when they sell precious metals, New Jersey law requires, among other things, that the buyer must weigh the precious metals, and test their fineness, within clear sight of the seller. The buyer must use a scale that has been certified by the Office of Weights and Measures. The buyer also must post a sign clearly showing the prices he or she offers, by weight and fineness, for various precious metals.
To help prevent the sale of stolen jewelry, and help return stolen jewelry to its rightful owner, State law requires that the seller must obtain proof of identification from the seller; and must create a serialized receipt that includes the date of the transaction; the name, address, and signature of the seller; the name and address of the buyer; and the types of precious metals purchased, their weight and fineness, and the prices paid. The buyer must give the seller a copy of the receipt, and must keep another copy for the buyer’s own records for at least one year. The buyer also must retain any precious metals in the form in which they were purchased, for no less than two business days.
Wayne Police Chief John Reardon said, “State and local partnerships such as these are vitally important to protect the rights of New Jersey’s consumers.”
In addition to the State laws, Wayne Township has promulgated ordinances governing the sale of previous metals.
Each of the jewelers is accused of violating multiple state laws and municipal ordinances, as described below.
Bayar Jewelers, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 15 civil complaints from the State Office of Weights and Measure . Paul Akay, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Bayar Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh and test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified by the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures, and of a type not approved by the Office of Weights and Measures.
D’Malke Jewelers, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces seven civil complaints. Neil Akdemir, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces one municipal code violation. Among other things, D’Malke Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh precious items in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.
Gallo Jewelry, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 12 civil complaints. Rudi Ceylan, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Gallo Jewelry allegedly failed to test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.
Jewelry by Eric, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 13 civil complaints. Fehini M. Eric, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Jewelry by Eric allegedly failed to weigh or test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.
Jewelry by Jakup, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 15 civil complaints. Aydin Akdemit, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Jewelry by Jakup allegedly failed to weigh or test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified by the NewJersey Office of Weights and Measures, and of a type not approved by the Office of Weights and Measures.
Jewelry by Marcus, at 24 Route 46 East, faces 33 civil complaints. Hobil AkBolut, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Among other things, Jewelry by Marcus allegedly failed to weigh and test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.
Kemerli Millenium International, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 14 civil complaints. Serife Bulbul, who allegedly purchased gold at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Among other things, Kemerli Millennium International allegedly failed to weigh precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified by the NewJersey Office of Weights and Measures, and of a type not approved by the Office of Weights and Measures.
M.A. Jewelers, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 13 civil complaints. Murat Akdemit, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Among other things, M.A. Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh and test the fineness of previous metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law..
Obsession Diamonds, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 15 civil complaints. Emmitt C. Devli, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Obsession Diamonds allegedly failed to weigh or test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified by the NewJersey Office of Weights and Measures, and of a type not approved by the Office of Weights and Measures.
Pink Diamond, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 11 civil complaints. Alexander Bendarsky, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Among other things, Pink Diamond allegedly failed to weigh precious metals in plain view of the seller; and failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification. (Pink Diamond also allegedly failed to retain a gold necklace, sold by the investigators, for the minimum required amount of time. Within one hour of the initial sale, the item had already been transferred to another jeweler, was on display in that jeweler’s showcase, and was available for sale to the public).
Six Stars Jewelers, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 12 civil complaints. Gabriel Akay, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Six Stars Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.
Verdi Jewelry, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 11 civil charges. Siro Zakaria, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Six Star Jewelers allegedly failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.
Advice for Consumers When Selling Precious Metals or Jewelry
The Division of Consumer Affairs provides important advice and information fort those wishing to sell their precious metals or jewelry, in the following publications:
Consumer tips include:
- Know with whom you are doing business. The buyer of precious metals and jewelry must include their name and address in all advertisements and at the point of purchase.
- Remember that any weighing and testing of your precious metals or jewelry must be done in plain view of you, the seller.
- Check the scale being used to weight your precious metals or jewelry. The scale must bear a blue New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures sticker, dated to show the scale has been tested by the State within the last 12 months. Make sure the scale bears a seal that is not broken; a broken seal indicates possible tampering.
- Prices must be prominently posted.
- Be sure to get a complete sales receipt. The receipt must include the buyer's name and address; the date of the transaction; the names of the precious metals purchased; the fineness and weights of the precious metals purchased; the prices paid for the precious metals at the standard measures of weight; and the name, address, and signature of the seller.
- After the sale, the buyer is required to keep the item purchased for at least two business days; and to keep a serialized receipt of each transaction for at least one year.
Consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by the defendants should file complaints with the Division of Consumer Affairs. A complaint form is available online at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov and complaints may be registered by calling the Division at 800-242-5846 (toll-free within N.J.) or at 973-504-6200.
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