Last week Bangkok Post reported the theft of a 2,100-carat diamond worth 315 million. The theft was committed by a middle-aged man who escaped on a motorcycle. Don Muang police responded to the robbery reports and questioned the supposed owner, a 71 year-old Chanthaburi native, who claimed to have purchase the stone from a friend 15 years ago and presented the investigator certificates from the International Gemological Institute attesting to the diamonds' authenticity. The police next interrogated the owner of the store, in front of which the theft took place.
This part-time gem dealer said many foreigners were interested in the stone, but couldn't explain why they let the thief examine the diamond outside the shop without any check on his background credentials.
The police asked to inspect the other stone and the owner refused.
Something was beginning to stink.
The stolen stone was returned to the police and soon discovered to be a fake.
The police have yet to figure out this case, but it's fairly obvious that the owner had gotten hold of an authentic certificate for the real 2100-carat diamond. He had the small-time dealer advertise the stone for far below value, but charge a viewing fee. Most viewers would immediately see the stone for what it was; a fake or 'phlom', but wouldn't be able to get back their security.
The owner never told that anyone would try and steal it.
But as my friend with the Palm Beach Police said the other day hearing about three teenagers stealing a beach bag.
"Criminals are stupid."
"Not all of them."
Especially the big ones.
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