Indian jewelers are being sought by police in Rajasthan after allegedly scamming an American woman out of $720,000. Cherish Nortez purchased what she thought was a 14 carat gold chain with diamond-encrusted pendant from a shop in Jaipur’s Johri Bazaar. She received a certificate of authenticity but discovered back in the US that the items were fake— the chain was silver with a gold coating and the diamonds were cheap stones.
Ms. Nortez returned to confront the jewelers, Rajendra Soni and his son Gaurav, but they reportedly threatened her with legal action and seizure of her passport. With the assistance of the US embassy, police began investigating the case. It was found that the jewelers, who have since fled, sold Ms. Nortez jewelry worth only $4 for the inflated price of $720,000.
Authorities have arrested Nand Kishore for allegedly providing fake certificates for the items. Bajrang Singh Shekhawat, additional deputy commissioner of Jaipur Police, confirmed the investigation and ongoing search for the missing jewelers.