"Dealer" Stole $438,000 of Gems With Forged Checks

(IDEX Online) - A man posing as a gem dealer has admitted stealing $438,000 worth of diamonds, precious stones and jewelry from four victims using forged checks.

Arsen Canaj, 58, pleaded guilty at New York State Supreme Court to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and one count of Bail Jumping in the Second Degree, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said on September 24.

He is expected to be sentenced on November 13 to between two and six years in state prison under the terms of his plea agreement.

"Arsen Canaj went to great lengths to take advantage of business owners by stealing approximately $438,000 worth of diamonds, precious gems, and jewelry with forged checks. He now faces time in state prison for his conduct," said District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr.

"Those who defraud New York's businesses will be held accountable. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to help Manhattan's businesses thrive."

Canaj admitted working with co-defendant Shlomo Gross on July 15, 2018, to steal a 5.06-carat brilliant-cut diamond worth approximately $224,000.

Gross, who had previously been convicted of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, posed as an intermediary between diamond buyers and sellers and told the seller that he had a buyer interested in the stone

Canaj then posed as the buyer and gave the seller a forged check for $224,057 for the stone.

On December 13, 2018, Canaj went to an antique watch store and told the owner he wanted to purchase a Rolex for $25,000.

He offered a cashier's check as payment. After accepting the check, the owner and Canaj arranged for a pickup of the Rolex. Shortly afterward, the owner was informed by her bank that the cashier's check deposited into her account was forged.

In May and June 2020, Canaj stole approximately $132,000 worth of jewelry and precious stones from a third victim by giving the victim three forged checks in exchange for the items.

On May 8, 2021, he stole $57,163 worth of emeralds from a fourth victim by falsely presenting himself as a gem dealer, using a false identity and paying with a forged check.

The four thefts involved approximately $438,000 worth of diamonds, gems and jewelry.

After two separate indictments were obtained in the cases, Canaj failed to appear for scheduled court appearances on August 5, 2022. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest. He pleaded guilty to Bail Jumping in the Second Degree.

Generic pic of a 5-ct brilliant-cut diamond.