The gold is stolen.
yes. I spent too much time on goldbug blogs too. then I was reminded that cultures have used all kinds of objects as currency, and as stores of value. gold just happens to be the most historically relevant and widely understood, culturally.
Yet as far as I know just making 3 people keep a secret for years is next to impossible.
If people wants me to believe in frauds so enourmous that you'll need hundreds of people to never mention anything - then I will need pretty solid evidence.
If it is done by the state you can keep it confidential, can't you?
And I don't think that you need hundrets of people to steal gold. Several people with state orders to delete and change regord will be enough.
Someone did come forward.