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New York--The Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) is teaming up with online auction site eBay to tackle organized jewelry crime, the agencies announced in a joint press release this week.
 
The unique partnership will mean greater information sharing to help the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies, identify crime rings that are responsible for stealing jewelry and fencing the stolen merchandise.

"EBay has invested substantial resources and is making great progress in assisting law enforcement agencies and loss prevention professionals in tracking illegal behavior," JSA President John Kennedy said in the release. "Our partnership will further help stop criminals from fencing their stolen jewelry by providing additional information and expertise so that law enforcement can fight jewelry crime more effectively."

JSA, a nonprofit that provides crime prevention information and crime alerts to the jewelry industry and law enforcement, and eBay will collaborate with the FBI's Jewelry and Gem Initiative to help identify crime rings. The two will regularly discuss the state of the industry, share best practices and take measures to eradicate illegal activity and identify ways to use new technology, such as the JSA's e-mail network and stolen jewelry Web site as well as eBay's PROACT program, to further assist law enforcement in tracking organized jewelry crime rings.

PROACT stands for Partnering with Retailers Offensively Against Crime and Theft and is a way to report evidence of theft to eBay for investigation.

"JSA has done a great job in its long history of fighting jewelry crime, but a dynamic marketplace requires new tools and alliances," Paul Jones, eBay's global director of asset protection, said in the release. "Through this partnership, JSA and eBay are taking a stand against criminal activity. We will work with law enforcement partners to prosecute those who unlawfully obtain jewelry and abuse the online marketplace to sell the ill-gotten items."

Founded in San Jose, Calif., in 2005, eBay Inc.operates the world's largest online marketplace, as well as ticket-selling site StubHub and eBay Classifieds sites.