Queens man sold bogus coins in Inwood

After arresting a Queens man at his home for criminal possession of a forged instrument in Garden City on March 5, further investigation by Fourth Squad detectives found that Allen Natanel, 27, of Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, allegedly also sold counterfeit coins in Inwood and Franklin Square.

On Jan. 15, Natanel sold 98 fake Morgan Silver Star Dollars to National Pawn Brokers at 265 Sheridan Blvd. in Inwood, according to police. On Jan. 18, he sold 199 of the same item to Stein Family Jewelers at 784 Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square. All but one was found to fake, police said. On Jan. 31, Natanel allegedly sold the owner of Frucci Jewelers at 18 Nassau Boulevard in Garden City, more than 100 Morgan Silver dollars for an unspecified amount of money. Again, only one of the coins was determined to be genuine.

He was first charged with 10 counts of criminal possession forged instrument, possession forged instrument-second degree. Natanel was also charged with two counts of possession of a forged instrument and 30 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Police are asking anyone who may have been a victim of a similar crime to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-8477. All calls are kept confidential.