Following a thorough investigation, several arrests were recently made on Kauai linked to an elaborate imitation jewelry fraud. Six people, all of whom are citizens of Romania, were apprehended in association with the swindle. The scam was unraveled when police interspersed an illegitimate gold trading session occurring in the parking space of a Walmart, as reported by the Kauai Police Department.
On the evening of February 15, authorities were alerted about two individuals attempting to peddle faux gold jewelry to shoppers in the Walmart parking precinct. The duo allegedly told the unsuspecting customers that they needed immediate cash to rectify their automobile. Policemen responded swiftly to the tip-off but the culprits managed to elude initial capture. Nonetheless, a comprehensive description of their vehicle facilitated further investigations.
Subsequent inquiries led to the arrest of Remus Miclescu, a 29-year-old Romanian immigrant dwelling in the state of Washington. He was detained on February 16 under suspicion of illicitly operating a vehicle without a proper license, partnered with a charge of third-degree theft. Miclescu was discharged sans bail on the condition of his written assurance to attend all mandated court appearances in the future.
As the investigations continued further, the officers apprehended two more individuals on February 19. Constantin Miclescu, a 34-year-old Romanian living in New York, and Sarai Gheorghe, another Romanian resident from Maryland aged 23, were taken into custody under the allegations of fraudulent activities.
Following these arrests, on February 20, more Romanian nationals were taken into custody by the officers. This group included Inilian Constantin, aged 30, hailing from Romania but residing in Maryland, and Sofian Miclescu, a 28-year-old Romanian living in New York. Alongside them, Constantin Miclescu, a 26-year-old associated with Maryland, and Remus Miclescu, a 29-year-old staying in Washington, were also arrested.
Authorities did not disclose if or how the individuals with the name ‘Miclescu’ are related to each other or to the country of Romania. Following the arrests, the six men were confined at the KPD Cellblock. Their detention is presently ongoing as investigators continue delving deeper into the case.
Deputy Chief Mark Ozaki credited the significant progress in closing down the scam to the unyielding scrutiny and precise detective work by their officers. The law enforcement community’s effectiveness was strengthened immeasurably thanks to the vigilant community members, who provided useful information that was instrumental in making these arrests.
Intriguingly, there are noticeable parallels between these incidents and other fraudulent occurrences in 2022. During this period, the Kauai Police Department had detained four Romanian men, who alleged that they were selling unique or antique pieces of jewelry at uncommonly low prices on the grounds of fiscal need. However, it was later unmasked that these so-called treasures were mere counterfeits.