DA Bragg Indicts Queens Man In 460K Diamond Caper

MIDTOWN, NY – Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of 41-year-old Manashe Sezanayev of Forest Hills, Queens, in a daring $460,000 diamond fraud.

Sezanayev, who operated Rachel’s Diamonds in Midtown’s Diamond District, allegedly swapped valuable diamonds with lab-grown fakes cut to look like the real deal.

According to the indictment, on February 5, 2024, a diamond merchant visited Sezanayev, who expressed interest in buying two of his stones, worth approximately $185,000 and $75,000.

Ostensibly inspecting the diamonds, Sezanayev turned his back to the merchant to weigh the rocks on a scale.

But instead of weighing the diamonds, Sezanayev swapped them for lab-grown stones cut to resemble the real rocks – so much so, that the fakes were even inscribed with forged Gemological Institute of America (“GIA”) laser inscriptions.

Sezanayev allegedly repeated the scam on March 27, 2024.

According to the indictment, Sezanayev told another diamond merchant that he had a customer ready to buy this merchant’s diamond, one valued at a lofty $200,000.

The same day, Sezanayev purchased a lab-grown rock that was cut to mimic this second merchant’s stone. This fake was also inscribed with the forged GIA laser signature.

On April 2, 2024, Sezanayev introduced this second merchant to the purported customer. Once again, Sezanayev managed to swap the merchant’s diamond with the lab-grown rock.

“Diamonds are forever, but this alleged scheme was short-lived,” said DA Bragg. “Merchants are expected to conduct business in a fair and honest manner. Those who take advantage of consumers will be held accountable.”

Patch readers, you’ve been warned: never take your eyes off a valuable diamond. Not even for a second.