Investigation continues; additional arrests made
(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – In response to concerns expressed by members of the trade, GIA has extended the submission date for the confirmation service announced on Nov. 25, 2015, by two months to March 31, 2016.
Anyone with a GIA grading report originally issued between November 2014 and October 2015 who is concerned about the validity of the report due to the unauthorized changes to grading reports uncovered in October 2015 may submit the original report and the referenced diamond to any GIA location for the confirmation service at no charge until the March 31 deadline for submissions.
The investigation into the fraudulent alteration of GIA reports by outside parties continues. GIA has shared the client communications and information about these fraudulent changes with the Indian police. As a result of the cooperation between GIA, TCS and the Indian authorities, six additional people have been arrested, making a total of eight arrests.
Through January 26 only 297 invalidated reports have been returned to GIA. It is imperative that all of the diamonds and their reports be returned to GIA to remove the fraudulently altered reports from the market.
The gem and jewelry trade must hold those who commit such fraudulent acts accountable for their actions. The cooperation of the trade is vital as GIA works to fully address this fraud.
GIA will continue to focus on ensuring consumer confidence and trust by making public any effort by any individual, company or organization to defraud the trade or consumers.
Visit GIA online at www.gia.edu.
