Dinh Thu Phan, COVID-19 Pandemic Fraud, Florida 2020
Florida Man Charged with COVID-19 Pandemic Fraud
A Florida man has been charged with COVID-19 pandemic fraud after authorities discovered he was operating over 300 websites that sold fake hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that Dinh Thu Phan, Tran Khanh, and Nguyen Duy Toan, all residents of Vietnam, have been charged with wire fraud in connection with their scheme.
According to the complaint, defendants operated more than 300 websites that fraudulently purported to sell products that became scarce during the pandemic, including hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Thousands of victims in all 50 states attempted to purchase these items from defendants' websites, but never received the purchased products.
Defendants are alleged to have set up hundreds of email accounts and accounts with a U.S.-based payment processor to effectuate the scheme and keep it hidden from law enforcement. Defendants are also alleged to have listed fraudulent contact addresses and phone numbers on the websites, causing unaffiliated individuals and businesses in the United States to receive numerous complaint calls from victims who had been defrauded by the scheme.
The United States obtained a Temporary Restraining Order in federal court to shutter defendants' websites immediately while an investigation of defendants' scheme continues. In response to information provided by HSI, Vietnamese authorities have also conducted their own investigation and arrested the Defendants.
The complaint alleges that defendants set up hundreds of email accounts and accounts with a U.S.-based payment processor to effectuate the scheme and keep it hidden from law enforcement.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida is working with the HSI to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the scheme.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defendant:
Dinh Thu Phan, Tran Khanh, and Nguyen Duy Toan
Criminal Charges:
Wire fraud
City and State:
Tampa, Florida
Date:
August 3, 2020
Sentence or Outcome:
Under investigation
Dollar Amounts:
Thousands of victims
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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