29-year-old Romanian national from Washington state linked to counterfeit jewelry scam

A 29-year-old Romanian national who was residing in Washington state was arrested last weekend in Līhuʻe for his suspected involvement in a counterfeit jewelry scam just days after Kaua‘i police issued a public warning about the fraudulent activity.

Remus Miclescu was taken into custody Feb. 16. He was arrested for third-degree theft and driving without a valid driver’s license. Miclescu was later released on his own recognizance.

Police responded at about 6 p.m. Feb. 15 to a report of two men claiming they needed cash to repair their vehicle and trying to sell counterfeit gold jewelry to customers in the parking lot at Walmart in Līhuʻe.

The men left the scene before authorities arrived, but officers were able to obtain a description of their vehicle.

Police did not report anything about the other man who was allegedly with Miclescu.

This scam bears striking similarities to incidents in 2022, when Kaua‘i Police Department successfully arrested four men engaged in the sale of counterfeit jewelry.

They targeted unsuspecting people in public and residential areas under the guise of selling rare or antique pieces at significantly reduced prices.

Victims, thinking they were helping visitors in financial distress, later discovered the jewelry was counterfeit.

“These types of scams prey on the generosity and aloha spirit of our community,” said Lt. Kennison Nagahisa with the Kauaʻi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. “Thanks to the public’s vigilance and swift response, this case sends a powerful message that our community will not tolerate such crimes.”

Police offer the following proactive tips to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from these types of scams:

• Be vigilant: Remain alert and aware of your surroundings. If you are approached by a suspicious person, pay attention to their appearance, vehicles they might be using and any distinctive features.
• Verify identities: If approached with offers that seem too good to be true, verify the person’s identity and question the legitimacy of the offer before making any purchases or commitments.
• Question unusual situations: If someone claims to be in distress or in urgent need of money, ask questions and direct them to seek assistance from authorities.
• Educate loved ones: Share information about common scams with family and friends, particularly vulnerable groups such as keiki and kūpuna.
• Stay informed: Stay updated about local news and alerts regarding fraudulent activities in the community.

Immediately report any suspicious behavior or people you observe to Kaua‘i Police Department dispatch at 808-241-1711.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300, submit a tip at the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i website or use the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips mobile app, which can be dowloaded from Google Play and the Apple Store.

“Your assistance is vital in keeping our community safe,” said Kaua‘i police.