Four Chinese Nationals Sentenced for Identity Theft and Fraud Against US Retailers
The defendants obtained victims’ Social Security numbers and other personal information to create fraudulent accounts at prominent retailers.
The defendants entered pleas on January 6, with prosecutors noting that all four individuals entered the United States under false pretenses.
According to prosecutors, the four, along with two accomplices, stole victims’ Social Security numbers, birth dates, and residential addresses to create counterfeit driver’s licenses, which were then used to open credit card accounts in the victims’ names.
The fraudulent credit cards were issued by national retailers such as Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Williams-Sonoma, Dillard’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson sentenced the four defendants from Southern California.
Kar Kee “Steven” Cheung, 36, received a sentence of three years and six months in prison for charges that included visa fraud, possessing equipment for making false identification documents, and conspiracy to commit access device fraud, also known as credit card fraud.
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Qian Guo, 37, was sentenced to almost three years in prison for possessing equipment intended for creating false identification documents and conspiring to utilize a counterfeit credit card.
Chongming “Ming” Wang, 28, received a sentence of one year and six months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit credit card fraud, along with aiding and abetting the fraud totaling over $1,000.
Jiaozhu “Yanny” Yan, 30, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for visa fraud.
A fifth accomplice, Sizhen “Rachel” Liu, 35, also a Chinese national residing in Chino Hills, was sentenced on January 6 to more than four years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and for using a counterfeit credit card to make purchases exceeding $1,000.
A sixth defendant, Hyun Woo “Scott” Jung, 30, from Ontario, pleaded guilty on February 10 to conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and possession with intent to use unlawfully five or more false identification documents. Jung is awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for May 5 in Los Angeles.
The investigation continues with assistance from the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Homeland Security, and the FBI. Local police agencies from Alhambra, Arcadia, Bel Air, and the Maryland State Police are also providing support, as noted by prosecutors.
