CrimeJan 23, 2025
4 Men Arrested After Allegedly Plotting to Kidnap JewelerCrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading Customs
Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
Jeweler Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, also known as Monish Doshi Shah, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to evading customs duties and processing millions of dollars through an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Newark, N.J.—A 40-year-old jeweler was sentenced to 30 months in prison last week after pleading guilty to evading customs duties and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, also known as Monish Doshi Shah, of Mumbai, India, and Jersey City, New Jersey, evaded customs on more than $13.5 million in jewelry imported into the United States, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.
He was also found to have processed more than $10.3 million through an unlicensed money transmitting business.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shah’s schemes to evade paying customs duties on jewelry started in December 2019 and continued through April 2022.
The jeweler or his conspirators would ship jewelry from Turkey or India to one of Shah’s companies in South Korea. If these goods had been shipped directly to the U.S., they would have been subject to a 5.5 percent duty.
Shah’s connections would change the labels on the jewelry to state that the shipments were from South Korea instead of Turkey or India, according to court documents and statements made in the case.
The goods then were shipped to Shah or his customers in the U.S., unlawfully evading customs duties, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Shah told his connections to make fake invoices and packing lists to make it look like his South Korean companies were ordering the jewelry from Turkey or India.
He also instructed a third-party shipping company to provide false information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the origin of the jewelry.
Related stories will be right here …
Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, also known as Monish Doshi Shah, of Mumbai, India, and Jersey City, New Jersey, evaded customs on more than $13.5 million in jewelry imported into the United States, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.
He was also found to have processed more than $10.3 million through an unlicensed money transmitting business.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shah’s schemes to evade paying customs duties on jewelry started in December 2019 and continued through April 2022.
The jeweler or his conspirators would ship jewelry from Turkey or India to one of Shah’s companies in South Korea. If these goods had been shipped directly to the U.S., they would have been subject to a 5.5 percent duty.
Shah’s connections would change the labels on the jewelry to state that the shipments were from South Korea instead of Turkey or India, according to court documents and statements made in the case.
The goods then were shipped to Shah or his customers in the U.S., unlawfully evading customs duties, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Shah told his connections to make fake invoices and packing lists to make it look like his South Korean companies were ordering the jewelry from Turkey or India.
He also instructed a third-party shipping company to provide false information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the origin of the jewelry.
Shah also pleaded guilty to one count of operating, and aiding and abetting the operation of, an unlicensed money transmitting business.
From July 2020 through November 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Shah owned and/or operated several jewelry companies in New York’s Diamond District, including MKore LLC, MKore USA Inc., and Vruman Corp.
He used these businesses to conduct more than $10.3 million in illegal financial transactions for customers, including converting cash to checks or wire transfers, according to statements and court documents.
He would also collect cash from customers and use other individuals’ jewelry companies to convert the cash into wires or checks.
Shah was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in September.
In addition to serving 30 months in prison, Shah agreed to pay CBP restitution of $742,500 for evading customs and forfeit a total of $11.1 million for the customs evasion and unlicensed money transmitting schemes.
The court also set a two-year term of supervised release.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
