SEATTLE, WA – Edward Bui, 48, is headed back to federal prison after being sentenced to 61 months for a brazen fraud scheme targeting internet and shipping businesses. The Seattle man, previously convicted in 2009, simply changed his name and resumed his criminal activity, prompting a judge to condemn his “callous disregard” for the law and the businesses he victimized.
Bui, also known as Micah Buitron, pleaded guilty in August 2017 to mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The latest con involved creating a company, Operture, Inc., as a front for his elaborate schemes. He opened multiple fraudulent accounts with UPS and online payment processors using fabricated identities, addresses, and bank details. He racked up $31,200 in fraudulent claims with UPS by shipping packages to Nevada and then falsely reporting them as damaged.
The scheme extended to online payment platforms, where Bui acted as both buyer and seller, triggering fraudulent refunds. He essentially ran a digital check kiting operation, draining accounts before payment processors could recover funds. Google Wallet, Stripe, and buy.com were collectively defrauded of nearly $318,000. Adding insult to injury, Bui also stole the identity of an acquaintance to further his criminal endeavors, earning him an additional two-year sentence to be served consecutively.
Bui didn’t just pocket the money; he invested it in Las Vegas real estate, exploiting a Nevada loophole to acquire properties by covering outstanding homeowners association fees. He flipped these properties as the market recovered, ultimately purchasing a property valued at over $1 million. That property will be seized by the government and sold to provide restitution to Bui’s victims – both from this case and his 2009 conviction.
The 2009 case revealed a similar pattern of deception. Bui used the credit card information and personal details of over 60 people to defraud 68 businesses, racking up a total of $350,000 in fraudulent purchases. He used the stolen goods to remodel properties he owned and resold items through his businesses and online. He also engaged in double and triple billing, filed false damage claims, and even defrauded his own credit card company.
U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones, clearly frustrated by Bui’s recidivism, described him as having a “complete disregard of the Court, the law and the criminal justice system.” The investigation was a joint effort by the U.S. Secret Service and the Seattle Police Department, with the prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Diggs. Bui will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Related Federal Cases
- Edward Martin Rostohar, Bank Fraud, California 2024 · Washington
- Lowell Gene “Bob” Hancher, Wire and Securities Fraud, IN, 2013 · Indiana
- Elizabeth Carter, Access Device Fraud, Boise ID, 2023 · Nevada
- Roman Valerevich Seleznev, Credit Card Number Theft, Seattle WA, 2023 · Mississippi
- Glenn R. Fischer, $3M Insurance Fraud Scheme, Ellicott City MD, 2023 · Maryland
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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