Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Arrests Two in $70,000 Counterfeit Watch Scheme

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) Organized Crimes Bureau, Organized Retail Crimes Squad has arrested two individuals for selling counterfeit high-end watches which defrauded the victim for more than $70,000.

According to investigators, the victim reported purchasing multiple high-end watches from Jonathan Parra and Paula Sanchez, known jewelers, who claimed the timepieces were authentic. One of the watches got water inside, and the victim began questioning the authenticity of the watches. The victim had the watches examined by an independent certified jeweler, who confirmed the items were counterfeit, and one of the watches was falsely represented and sold as new, when it was more than 10 years old.

The victim tried contacting the subjects to rectify the situation, and at this point the subjects ceased all communications with the victim, blocking their number and blocking them from their social media accounts. Through investigative means, investigators located the couple in Cape Coral, Florida. With assistance from the Cape Coral Police Department, a search warrant was executed at the suspects’ residence, resulting in their arrests.

Detectives believe additional victims may exist, given the suspects’ long-standing involvement in the jewelry business. The suspects are awaiting extradition to Miami-Dade County.