MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Two people are facing charges after investigators say they sold counterfeit high-end watches in a scheme that defrauded a victim of more than $70,000.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said Jonathan Paolo Parra and Paula Zapata-Sanchez, both known jewelers, were arrested in Cape Coral with the help of local police.
Detectives with the agency’s organized crime bureau allege that the pair misrepresented luxury watches as authentic, including one that was sold as new but was more than 10 years old.
According to authorities, the victim became suspicious after one of the watches allowed water inside. A certified jeweler later confirmed the timepieces were fake.
When the victim tried to confront Parra, 37, and Zapata-Sanchez, 33, investigators said the two cut off contact and blocked the victim on social media.
Authorities said they executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence in Cape Coral, where they were taken into custody.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims, citing the couple’s long-standing involvement in the jewelry business.
“At the end of the day the victim was defrauded. Spent 70-thousand dollars and got nothing but fake watches,” a detectives said.
Parra and Zapata-Sanchez remained jailed at the Lee County Main Jail and are awaiting extradition to Miami-Dade County. Their bond information wasn’t immediately available.
Anyone who believes they’re a victim of fraud involving the pair is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
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