Jewelry, Gem, and Metal Theft

Investigations into these thefts can be complex, international in scope, and require a specialized knowledge of the industries and how they operate. 

Jewelry and gem theft 

The FBI's Jewelry and Gem (JAG) program develops liaisons with the jewelry industry and police departments, coordinates multi-divisional investigations, maintains a jewelry crime database, and assists the FBI's field offices and legal attachés in JAG-related investigations. 

The JAG program was initiated in 1992 in response to an increase in jewelry thefts from retailers and robberies of traveling salesmen across the United States. These thefts were being committed by organized criminal enterprises consisting of sophisticated thieves and fences for stolen property.

Initially focused on Colombian gem thieves and known as COLGEM, the JAG program was later expanded to include other groups, such as street gangs that were committing armed robberies in retail stores.

The JAG program provides law enforcement agencies and the jewelry industry with a means to combat the problem of thefts and robberies in the jewelry trade.

Stock photo of jewelry on display

JAG investigations can be extremely complex, international in scope, and require a specialized knowledge of the jewelry industry and how it operates. JAG investigations also require an in-depth knowledge of the modus operandi of JAG criminal enterprises, as well as a comprehensive understanding of how stolen jewelry items are fenced, broken up, and later resold.

How jewelry thieves operate 

Jewelry thieves use fences, or people who sell stolen goods on behalf of the thieves. Fences convert stolen jewelry to cash. The money is then laundered in another city or country.

Many fences travel across the country or the world to buy the stolen jewels. The most popular fencing cities in the United States are Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and New York City.

Jewelry theft rings are organized and violent. They require sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional response.

Infographic - How jewelry thieves use fences

The FBI's role in stopping jewelry thieves 

The FBI's JAG program uses our national and international resources to investigate jewelry theft rings and improve coordination among law enforcement, jewelry professionals, and jewelry industry security experts. The FBI also supports an industry-operated database maintained by the Jewelers Security Alliance, which allows law enforcement agencies to search for and identify stolen jewelry.

Liaison and investigative resources 

The FBI's JAG program provides law enforcement with specific knowledge as it relates to the identification of gems, how value is determined, how stones are graded and tracked, identification of precious metals, hallmarking jewelry, and watch identification and tracking. These are just a few of the services the JAG program provides that are necessary to conduct a successful investigation.

Private sector partners 

Private sector partners include the Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Precious metal and resource metal theft 

Precious metal theft

The FBI's Precious Metal Program's objectives are to develop and maintain liaison with the precious metal industry and police departments, coordinate multi-divisional investigations, maintain a precious metal crime database, and to assist the field offices and legal attachés in precious metal-related investigations.

Precious metal investigations can be extremely complex, international in scope, and require a specialized knowledge of the industry and how it operates. Precious metal investigations also require an in-depth knowledge of the modus operandi of precious metal criminal enterprises, as well as a comprehensive understanding of how stolen precious metals are fenced, broken up, and later resold.

Resource metal theft

Since the early 2000s, copper thefts have become a growing problem.

Deemed by the FBI as a threat to critical U.S. infrastructure, thieves stealing copper wires are causing power and phone outages, exposing live wires, and even disrupting emergency services. Theft offenses may be committed by individuals or as part of organized groups. Thieves are often interested in the quick cash they get from selling copper to scrap metal dealers.

The demand for copper from developing nations such as China and India is creating a robust international copper trade, and, as the global supply of copper continues to tighten, the market for illicit copper will likely increase.

Catalytic converter theft

In early 2021, the FBI started to see a steady increase in catalytic converter cases across the country, resulting in collaboration and the creation of a national initiative to combat catalytic converter theft. A national initiative included the FBI liaising with private sector partners, industry executives, and the Department of Justice.

Liaison and investigative resources

The FBI provides law enforcement with specific knowledge on the identification of precious metals and how value is determined, as well as a comprehensive understanding of how stolen precious metals are fenced, broken up, and later resold. These are just a few of the services the Precious Metal Program provides that are necessary to conduct a successful investigation.

How to report jewelry, gem, or metal theft to the FBI 

  • File a police report with your local or state law enforcement agent.

  • Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

  • Submit a tip to the FBI online at ic3.gov or tips.fbi.gov.

  • Call 911 if a crime is in progress or you are in immediate danger.

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