Addicted to treasure hunting? Demand for metal detectors in Moscow grows by nearly 40%

As the weather warms up, Russians are preparing to hunt for treasure, hoping that after the snow melts, they can use metal detectors to find lost jewelry and other valuables.

Data released recently by Russian classifieds website Avito shows that in the past three weeks, the demand for metal detectors in the Russian capital Moscow has increased by 37% compared with the same period in February. During this period, the number of advertisements for the sale and rental of metal detectors on Avito has decreased by 16%.

In order to find lost valuables, Muscovites are willing to spend 14,500 rubles (about 1,251 yuan) to buy a metal detector from Avito. Due to the increase in consumer demand, the price of metal detectors has increased in March . In February, the average price of metal detectors was 27% lower than in March.

Since the price is relatively high and this kind of equipment is not used often, some people choose to rent it.

Russians' enthusiasm for treasure hunting has also attracted the attention of criminals. According to foreign media reports, in March last year, a 50-year-old resident of Irkutsk was defrauded of 25,000 rubles (about 2,161 yuan) for buying a metal detector online.

It is reported that the victim decided to buy a metal detector online in order to find ancient coins. He found one on a website. The auctioneer said that the buyer needs to pay a prepayment of 10,000 rubles, and the remaining amount will be transferred after receiving the goods.

After paying the advance payment, the victim received a "receipt" stating that a package containing the metal detector would be delivered by a courier. However, the courier company stated that the so-called package did not exist.

Three days later, the 50-year-old resident decided to try to buy another one. He found a sales ad through Avtio. The seller sent him an operation video and said that the buyer needed to pay the goods and transportation costs in advance. After transferring 15,000 rubles to the other party's account, the resident went back to check the chat history, only to find that the sales ad had been deleted.

Avito has always been just a platform for displaying goods and services. Transactions between buyers and sellers can only be conducted through other channels, so this kind of fraud is easy to happen. If consumers are not careful, they can easily fall into the trap.

However, at the end of February this year, Avito said it would test e-commerce functions and recruit sellers to join. Consumers will be better protected when shopping with sellers who join.

Russia