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Multi-Million Dollar Scam Exposed in Fairfax
Alexandria, VA – In a brazen display of financial deceit, 31-year-old Fairfax resident Sunyu Qian has pleaded guilty to his involvement in two scams that bilked victims and retailers of over $1.25 million.
According to court documents, Qian’s scheme, which ran from November 19, 2020, to August 13, 2023, involved convincing elderly victims across the United States to purchase gift cards from major retailers. Qian and his co-conspirators would then use the gift card information to acquire high-value electronics, which were shipped to their associates. The unauthorized access scheme resulted in Qian using approximately $1.1 million.
But Qian’s financial transgressions didn’t stop there. From April 19, 2023, to March 23, 2024, he engaged in another scheme, using counterfeit price tags to purchase large containers of baby formula at a lower price than the smaller cans. For example, on April 19, 2023, Qian scanned counterfeit price tags for 13oz cans of formula priced at $4.99 each, despite the larger containers being priced at $62.99 each. Qian would then deliver the baby formula to his co-conspirators, who paid him in cash. This scheme resulted in Qian defrauding two retailers of a total of at least $124,000.
Qian’s total culpability over the two schemes is a staggering $1.25 million. He has pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Qian is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18 and faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. However, actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hood is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with related court documents and information. Case No. 1:24-cr-60 can be found on PACER.
As Qian awaits his sentencing, the people of Fairfax and beyond can rest assured that justice is being served. But the question remains: how many more victims will be left to pick up the pieces after being duped by Qian’s clever schemes?
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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