They’ve Stolen Millions Using Super Clones.
From left to right, Ariel Zirkiyev, Gabriel Abramov, and Yitzhak ("Isaac") Ofier
A fraud ring has stolen millions using ultra-realistic counterfeit jewelry. Store after store, they repeat the same scam—and it still works. This is how they do it.
Section 1: “Super Clones” aren’t ordinary fakes
They’re made from real gold, with flawless details and fake certificates linked to real serial numbers. Most jewelers don’t realize the truth until weeks after handing over real merchandise or cash.
Luxury Bazaar - 1225 Industrial Highway, Southampton, PA 18966
In March 2024, Ariel Zirkiyev visited Luxury Bazaar—a top-tier jeweler with a major YouTube presence— and traded a fake Rolex Hulk 116610LV and Cartier Love Bracelet for an genuine Rolex valued at $25,500.
The counterfeits were so convincing that even Marco, a seasoned expert, approved the deal. He now works at Burdeen’s Watches. We wish him continued success.
Luxury Bazaar’s YouTube channel
Marco at Burdeen’s Watches
Maximillion Watches - 2938 Merrick Rd, Bellmore, NY 11710
Yitzhak Ofier sold Maximillion Watches a fake two-tone Rolex Daytona 116503 for $15,500. Owner Max Hinden accepted the watch due to its authentic-looking documentation.
Max Hinden, owner and respected industry expert
The Counterfeit Rolex Daytona
Identification and receipt used for the transaction
European Watch Co. - 137 Newbury St 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02116
Ariel Zirkiyev defrauded European Watch Co.—one of America’s largest and most respected luxury watch dealers—by trading a counterfeit Audemars Piguet for an authentic Rolex Yacht-Master 116680, causing a $25,000 loss.
David, European Watch Co.
Identification presented by Zirkiyev
Why Jewelers Trust Trade-ins:
Jewelers rarely expect trade-in fraud because criminals prefer cash, knowing stolen goods are hard to resell. This fraud ring has strong connections in Manhattan’s Diamond District, making it easy for them to sell real jewelry quickly, without suspicion.
How They Source Cartier Bracelets:
The counterfeit Cartier bracelets come from Farid, a known high-end counterfeit distributor based in Manhattan’s Diamond District (55 W 47th Street, Booth 200).
Fake Certificates Matching Real Serial Numbers:
Counterfeit jewelry includes certificates bearing genuine Rolex serial numbers, making quick detection nearly impossible.
Farid at his booth (left). Counterfeit Cartier (top-right). Fake Rolex Certificate (bottom-right)
Section 2: Repeat Targeting Of The Same Stores
Once victimized, stores become repeat targets. Criminals use different identities but the same scam repeatedly.
Royal Gold Buyers - 29 N Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
+ Yitzhak Ofier: $30,000 loss (fake Rolex Daytona)
+ Ariel Zirkiyev: Repeated attempts with fake Cartier bracelets
Counterfeit Rolex Daytona retained by Royal Gold Buyers
How Convincing Are These Counterfeits?
"I showed Abramov's counterfeit Audemars Piguet to ten 47th-Street jewelry experts. Every expert thought it was real—some offered over $30,000. We only later realized it was fake because the packaging felt slightly off." -Jacob Avital, 5 Towns Jewelry Buyers
The counterfeit Audemars Piguet that fooled multiple experts
Section 3: A Nationwide Problem
They operate nationwide, repeatedly crossing state lines to evade police detection.
Diamond City - 15631 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48075
After spotting Zirkiyev’s New York license plates, owner Labieb confronted him, asking, "You drove from NY to sell me a fake watch?" He immediately kicked Zirkiyev out of the store.
Surveillance images of Ariel Zirkiyev attempting scam to Diamond City Jewelers
Yorktown Jewelers - 322 Kear St, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Yitzhak ("Isaac") Ofier scammed the store out of $14,500 by passing off a counterfeit Rolex Hulk 116610LV.
Counterfeit Rolex Hulk
Ritz Jewelry- 3574 Long Beach Rd, Oceanside, NY 11572
Ariel Zirkiyev targeted with a counterfeit Cartier Love bracelet.
Sofia Jewelry - 134 Gardiners Ave, Levittown, NY 11756
Ariel Zirkiyev targeted with a counterfeit Cartier Love bracelet.
Melvin H Joyeria - 62 W 47th St STE 402, New York, NY 10036
Ariel Zirkiyev targeted with a counterfeit Audemars Piguet Royal Oak $25,500.
RK & Co. Jewelers - 3651 Peachtree Pkwy Suite A, Suwanee, GA 30024
Isaac Ofier targeted with a counterfeit Cartier Love bracelet.
Iroff and Son Jewelers - 3960 Old Milton Pkwy #300, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Ariel Zirkiyev targeted with a counterfeit Cartier Love bracelet.
Section 4: Why Police Can't Stop Them
They know the trick to never getting caught—jurisdiction hopping. With fake IDs, new names, and a different city for every scam, each case looks like a one-off. There's no national task force, no one connecting the dots. By the time a jeweler realizes they’ve been scammed, the crew is already hundreds of miles away, pulling the same con again.
One of Ariel Zirkiyev's Many Fake ID's
Expert Insight:
"These cases are difficult because scammers always claim ignorance, insisting they thought jewelry was genuine."Scott Guginsky, Vice President at Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA)
Zeidman’s Jewelry - 24810 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI 48075
Highly respected fourth-generation jeweler in Michigan, established in 1923. Yitzhak Ofier scammed the store out of $16,000 using a counterfeit watch. The incident was filed under Police Report #23-29636, but local authorities treated it as isolated and took no further action.
Zeidmans Showroom, a local landmark since 1923
Timepiece Collection - 58 E Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631
In September 2024, Timepiece Collection, a prominent New Jersey jeweler, lost $25,000 when Yitzhak Ofier traded a fake Audemars Piguet watch for a genuine Rolex.
Owner David, filed a police report on Sept. 20, 2024. Local police again viewed this as an isolated incident and didn't investigate further.
David, owner of Timepiece Collection
String of Houston thefts
Detective Worsham is actively investigating a series of jewelry thefts in Houston tied to this crew, including Yitzhak ("Isaac") Ofier. Like many local investigators, he's limited by jurisdiction, making it difficult to track them across state lines.
Detective Matthew Worsham Email: matthew.worsham@houstonpolice.org Office: (713) 308-3147 | Cell: (346) 577-2457
Section 5: Help Stop This Fraud Ring
This crew is still active, running the same scam with convincing counterfeits, fake certificates, and staged transactions. They pose as first-time sellers, often dressed in designer clothes or medical scrubs, and arrive in luxury cars.
Key Suspects:
Gabriel Abramov
Yitzhak Issic Levy Ofier ("Isaac")
Ariel Zirkiyev
Why We Say This Crew Stole “Millions”
The cases documented here are only a small fraction of the total. We identified most cases by cold-calling jewelry stores nationwide and gathering tips from Facebook jewelry groups. Many jewelers don’t realize they’ve been scammed until weeks later, and countless incidents go unreported. Reports suggest this group is highly active in Arizona, California, Florida, and other states. They also target individual buyers through Facebook Marketplace, making their full impact difficult to track.
What You Can Do
If approached or victimized by these suspects, or have information about their scams, contact us immediately.
Dedicated Tip Line: 516-212-5036
Email: tips@justiceinNY.com
On X: x.com/jacobavitalny
$20,000 Reward for credible information leading to arrest.