POLICE must be commended for uncovering a jewellery scam in which robbers and jewellers have colluded to rob innocent people of items which hold deep sentimental value.
Detectives investigating what appeared to be an innocuous robbery responded quickly to the crime found that their queries led to revelations that there was much more afoot.
The robbery in Lami at the weekend involved a group of men entering a house and taking jewellery.
But investigations revealed that the jewellery taken in these cases is most often sold to jewellers who melt the items, create new pieces and sell these to unwitting members of the public.
A machine used in this crime has been seized by detectives after information received from a suspect in the Lami case.
This is perhaps the first time that police have been able to find evidence and witnesses who link robberies to those who are at the centre of a scam about which people have been aware for years.
It is common knowledge among the makers and purveyors of jewellery that a small number of unscrupulous people are involved in the trade.
Indeed, it has been suggested that those involved provide intelligence to the robbers so that customers can be targeted individually.
The jeweller sells the product and makes a profit.
He provides information to a robber who retrieves the jewellery and is paid a price much lower than the actual value of the stolen item or items.
The jewellery is melted down, a new piece is made and it is sold to another customer.
This is an ingenious scheme involving seriously criminal minds which do not care about the lives of those affected by this scam.
Much of this jewellery has originally been given as a gift for an engagement, wedding, birthday or graduation.
These are items of deep sentimental value and – on occasion – spiritual and traditional meaning.
The loss of jewellery given to a bride upon marriage is akin to tearing out the heart or slaying her husband.
These items should remain with her until death, a reminder of her husband's love and fidelity.
Who are these evil people who would play with emotions in order to make a few more dollars?
Police must make every effort to find and remove the root of this crime.
Once these traders are found they must face severe punishment.
