{"id":18423,"date":"2026-04-02T16:37:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T13:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novitera.lt\/?post_type=izvalgos&p=18423"},"modified":"2026-08-21T11:17:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T08:17:51","slug":"top-6-risks-metals-market-fraud-schemes","status":"publish","type":"izvalgos","link":"https:\/\/novitera.lt\/en\/insights\/top-6-risks-metals-market-fraud-schemes\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 6 Risks in the Metals Market: Fraud Schemes and How to Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Top 6 Risks in the Metals Market: Fraud Schemes and How to Avoid Them<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with large volumes of metal scrap sourced from clients across different regions of the world, we often hear about dishonest trading practices and counterfeit materials. Today, not only precious metals but also non-ferrous metals are being falsified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you avoid potential losses, we invite you to take a few minutes to learn about some of the most common fraud schemes and how to identify them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Aluminium or steel passed off as copper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminium or steel may be painted in a copper colour or coated with a thin layer of copper, making it difficult to determine the true composition even when using XRF analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


How to check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Cut the cable and check whether there is any silver-coloured metal inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Compare its weight with genuine copper. Aluminium, for example, is significantly lighter.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2. \u201cLayering\u201d of electronic circuit boards<\/strong>
Valuable, well-populated circuit boards may be placed at the top of a bag, while similar-looking but \u201cempty\u201d boards \u2014 stripped of microchips, processors and other valuable components \u2014 are hidden underneath.

How to check:<\/strong>
\u2022 Inspect and sort the entire batch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Cables with fillers inside the insulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the outside, the material may look like a standard copper cable with plastic insulation. However, additional materials, such as concrete or other fillers, may be concealed inside the insulation instead of copper. Copper may be left only at the ends of the cable to create the \u201cright\u201d impression during visual inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


How to check:<\/strong>
\u2022 Before purchasing, cut the cable in several places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Precious metal alloys with hidden fillers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gold alloy may look genuine on the outside, while lead \u2014 a metal with a similar weight to gold \u2014 may be concealed inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


How to check:<\/strong>
\u2022 Visual inspection requires cutting the alloy open.
\u2022 Before settlement, the metal should be fully melted or refined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Sample manipulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pure metal sample may be submitted for analysis even though it does not represent the composition of the entire batch. The batch itself may contain lower-grade metal with higher levels of less valuable impurities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


How to check:<\/strong>
\u2022 Take samples yourself from different parts of the batch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Weighing manipulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the \u201cmagic\u201d is not in the metal but in the scales, with incorrectly calibrated or deliberately adjusted scales being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


How to protect yourself:<\/strong>
\u2022 Always be present during weighing.
\u2022 Use your own check weight.
\u2022 Request documentation confirming the calibration of the scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Visual inspection alone is not enough \u2014 check the entire batch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Use reliable measurement and analysis methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Work only with trusted and verified partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responsible verification before a transaction is not an extra step \u2014 it is a necessity.
If you have any questions or would like to verify the composition of a metal, please contact us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kind regards,
Your Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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