Headlines

$160K in Jewelry Bought With Phony Money in Boston, Authorities Say

Among the items were a rose gold and diamond chain valued at $50,000 and two Rolexes valued at $45,000 and $23,000.

Published

8 months ago

August 14, 2025

INSTORE Staff

A 20-year-old man was arrested after allegedly using phony money to purchase $160,000 in jewelry from a Boston store.

Authorities said Devin Johnson of Tennessee and another man bought the items in April at Victoria Jewelry, CBS News reported.

Among the high-dollar pieces were a rose gold and diamond chain valued at $50,000 and two Rolexes valued at $45,000 and $23,000, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

When later run through a money counter, the cash turned out to be bogus and bore the words “In Prop We Trust,” CBS News reported.

On July 22, Johnson was arraigned on a count of larceny over $1,200. His next court appearance is set for Sept. 23.

Authorities have not yet arraigned the other man, who allegedly flaunted a watch on Instagram, tagging Johnson and writing, “We made history bro.”

Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden stated: “The facts here outline an incredibly audacious scheme to purchase real jewelry—and hugely expensive jewelry at that—with phony money, which eventually came undone through thorough, tenacious work by Boston police detectives.”

Watch a short news video about the case:

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