CrimeAug 29, 2022
JSA Reward for Texas Grab-and-Run Suspect Doubled to $5KCrimeSep 13, 2022
Texas Retailer Sentenced to Prison for Wire Fraud
Santiago Mora used his business partner’s identity to receive $500,000 in cash advances to pay clients.
Houston—A Texas jewelry store owner has been sentenced to a little over two years in prison after being convicted of wire fraud.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, federal Judge Andrew Hanen sentenced 40-year-old Santiago Mora to 27 months in prison, immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
Mora owned half of Laspis Lazuli LLC, which did business as retailer Alku Modern Jewelers in Katy, Texas. A silent partner based in Sandy, Utah, owned the other 50 percent.
According to the release, Mora failed to deliver pre-paid Rolex watches valued at about $3.9 million to a customer.
To pay said customer and others, Mora created and executed a scheme to obtain $500,000 in merchant cash advances via wire transfer by impersonating his business partner and using his good credit.
He eventually admitted the fraud to his business partner.
Mora was indicted in November 2020 but released on $50,000 bond.
As local reports began surfacing about the retailer defrauding additional customers at his jewelry store, the government moved to revoke his bond, court records show.
But Mora didn’t show up for the revocation hearing, and FBI agents arrested him in June 2021 in Miami on a warrant for failure to appear.
He pleaded guilty to wire fraud on March 3.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined soon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Mora also was wanted by the sheriff’s office in Fort Bend County, Texas, for first-degree felony theft related to Alku Modern Jewelers.
A local news station aired multiple reports of people who claim they gave Mora money for items they never received, including a man who said he’s out $3,500 for an engagement ring and another who said he paid the retailer $26,000 for two rare Rolex watches that were never delivered.
The sheriff’s office said their investigation has been filed with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office. No other information was available by press time.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, federal Judge Andrew Hanen sentenced 40-year-old Santiago Mora to 27 months in prison, immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
Mora owned half of Laspis Lazuli LLC, which did business as retailer Alku Modern Jewelers in Katy, Texas. A silent partner based in Sandy, Utah, owned the other 50 percent.
According to the release, Mora failed to deliver pre-paid Rolex watches valued at about $3.9 million to a customer.
To pay said customer and others, Mora created and executed a scheme to obtain $500,000 in merchant cash advances via wire transfer by impersonating his business partner and using his good credit.
He eventually admitted the fraud to his business partner.
Mora was indicted in November 2020 but released on $50,000 bond.
As local reports began surfacing about the retailer defrauding additional customers at his jewelry store, the government moved to revoke his bond, court records show.
But Mora didn’t show up for the revocation hearing, and FBI agents arrested him in June 2021 in Miami on a warrant for failure to appear.
He pleaded guilty to wire fraud on March 3.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined soon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Mora also was wanted by the sheriff’s office in Fort Bend County, Texas, for first-degree felony theft related to Alku Modern Jewelers.
A local news station aired multiple reports of people who claim they gave Mora money for items they never received, including a man who said he’s out $3,500 for an engagement ring and another who said he paid the retailer $26,000 for two rare Rolex watches that were never delivered.
The sheriff’s office said their investigation has been filed with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office. No other information was available by press time.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
