Monday, 25 May 2026
Ancient Egyptian gold bracelet stolen and melted down in Cairo Museum scandal
Authorities have uncovered the details behind the recent theft of a rare artifact from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The stolen item, a golden bracelet dating back to Egypt’s Late Period, went missing from a secure vault inside the museum’s restoration workshop earlier this month.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, investigations revealed that the primary suspect is a museum restoration specialist. Taking advantage of her position and access to sensitive areas on September 9th, she managed to steal the historic bracelet by distracting her colleagues.
The disappearance came to light on September 13th, when museum officials reported the missing bracelet to the police. Subsequent inquiries led officers to three suspects—the restoration specialist and two accomplices.
Authorities determined that after the theft, the employee contacted an acquaintance who owns a silver shop in Cairo’s Sayeda Zeinab neighborhood. The bracelet was then sold to the owner of a gold workshop in the famed gold market for 180,000 Egyptian pounds (equal to approximately 3,700 US dollars). That individual allegedly resold it to a worker at a gold foundry for 194,000 pounds, who ultimately melted it down and incorporated it into other gold jewelry.
Police have arrested all three suspects and recovered the proceeds from the sale. Legal proceedings are now underway.