A jeweller with more than $2 million worth of stock was not concerned about a potential robbery in his high-end store, a jury has heard.

Michael Germani, 67, is on trial over a staged $2.8 million jewellery heist of his store in January 2023, having owed more than $184,000 in unpaid rent to Sydney’s Hilton Hotel.

He faced Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Thursday with two co-accused in the scheme: Mounir Helou, 59, and Andrea David Cusumano, 59.

A former friend of Germani told the jury on Thursday that the now 67-year-old asked him to contribute to the attempted insurance fraud and told him about the plan.

The witness said he had not heard from Germani since the pair fell out in 2016 and the jeweller had to unblock his number for them to communicate.

“He asked me if it was safe to talk over the phone,” the witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said.

“I told him to call me on WhatsApp.”

He said Germani told him that he had been experiencing financial problems with his lease and wanted to recover some money.

Germani was prepared to pay between $20,000 and 25,000 to whoever helped him carry out the plan and sent photos of a diamond necklace that he believed to be part of the payment, his former friend said.

The person involved in the plan would need to enter the store, tie up Germani and another employee, and obtain the CCTV camera footage, the witness said.

He said he agreed to help Germani and sent him his bank details over WhatsApp.

Crown prosecutor Cate Dodds told the jury that the witness had a long criminal record and was required to assist police.

The witness said he called NSW Police and informed them of Germani’s plan to stage the robbery for financial gain about a day after the exchange.

Two police officers were sent to Germani’s jewellery store as a result of the witness’ report, Dodds told the jury.

When the officers attended the store on January 13, they told Germani someone was planning an “insurance job” at his premises but did not disclose who.

“He didn’t look fazed,” Detective Senior Constable Ivan Scarfo told the court.

About three to four days after their last messages, the witness said he received a text from Germani that he had cold feet and did not want to continue with the robbery.

But Germani went through with the plan anyway.

Helou and another man, Shanel Tofaeono, attended the store about 6.30pm on January 19 claiming they wanted to examine a $150,000 tennis necklace, the court has been told.

During the 11-minute robbery, Germani and his shop attendant Lana Al-Khoury were “manhandled”, and had their hands and legs bound with cable ties.

The trial continues on Monday.