Chinese jewelry thief Yaorong Wan, known for targeting high-end luxury stores in the United States and overseas, has finally faced legal consequences in New York after multiple diamond and watch thefts using the “switcheroo” technique. Wan was recently sentenced to three to nine years in prison by the Manhattan Criminal Court, marking the end of this international thief’s “magical tricks.”
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the 50-year-old Wan illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 and settled in Flushing, Queens. In March 2024, he stole valuable diamond rings and watches totaling over $260,000 from Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue and Cartier at Hudson Yards in Manhattan. He then stole a $17,000 Chopard watch from London Jewelers in Long Island.
Within just two months, Wan executed a series of thefts with professional precision, causing significant losses to these prestigious stores. The police arrested him in May 2024 in Flushing and recovered stolen goods from his residence.
Wan’s most notable characteristic was his unique modus operandi. Prosecutors pointed out that he was skilled at sleight of hand, able to switch items unnoticed by store staff. Before each theft, he would prepare replicas or counterfeit goods. While admiring jewelry or watches at the counter, he would swiftly conceal the genuine item in his hand or pocket while placing the fake one back in the display box when the staff was distracted.
Wan’s adept switching technique was seamless and left virtually no traces, even baffling experienced salespeople. Surveillance footage showed his ability to swap items in seconds, earning him the title of “magician of jewelry thieves.”
This was not Wan’s first criminal offense. He was already a familiar face to international law enforcement agencies, having committed major jewelry thefts in South Korea and being sought by Interpol through a red notice. In addition to New York, he was involved in thefts at prestigious stores in California, Florida, and other states. He had previously traveled using false identities to evade capture, posing a challenge for authorities.
In the summer of 2024, Wan pleaded guilty in Manhattan, and in June 2025, he was officially sentenced to three to nine years in prison.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized, “No matter how sophisticated a thief’s methods are, New York will not tolerate high-end businesses becoming stages for criminals. The defendant must pay the price for the losses he has caused.”