Dinu Adelina, 29, and Miclescu Cosmin, 34, both from Romania, were arrested in Irvine, California, after being accused of orchestrating a jewelry switch scam that led to the theft of a $2,000 gold necklace. The Irvine Police Department warns that the duo may have targeted multiple victims with this scheme.
In “jewelry switch” scams, suspects engage in conversations with victims, offering them jewelry as a gesture of gratitude or to “honor” them. During the interaction, the suspects discreetly switch the victim’s valuable jewelry with a fake piece.
Last week, a victim in Irvine’s Culverdale neighborhood reported losing their $2,000 necklace under these circumstances. Thanks to quick work by the Irvine Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), investigators identified a suspect vehicle and tracked it to Los Angeles County. After conducting surveillance, the suspects returned to Irvine, where they were arrested.
Adelina and Cosmin have been booked at the Orange County Jail for conspiracy and grand theft, with bail set at $500,000. Police are urging anyone who may have fallen victim to similar scams to come forward and contact the department.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, with detectives actively seeking additional victims.