The Vaishno Devi Temple Trust, which had amassed nearly 20 tonnes of silver coins from devotees, faced a shocking revelation when only ₹30 crore worth of real silver was found after sending the coins to a government mint. This means that a mere 5-6% of the coins were genuine, while the rest consisted of low-quality alloys like cadmium and iron, sold to unsuspecting pilgrims. To avoid falling victim to similar scams, potential buyers should follow five essential tests to verify the authenticity of silver. These include checking for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) triangle logo, a 999 purity mark, and a six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) code. Additionally, simple home tests such as the magnet test, ice test, and tissue test can help identify fake silver. Buyers should also be cautious of products labeled as 'German Silver' or 'Nickel Silver,' which contain no actual silver. Lastly, always ask for a tax invoice that includes the HUID when making a purchase to ensure the legitimacy of the transaction.