⏱ 2 min read
A Chinese national, Jinbin Ren, 38, of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, has been indicted for his alleged role in an international conspiracy to defraud victims of millions of dollars’ worth of gift cards in New Hampshire. The scam involved acquiring gift cards stolen from victims through romance fraud, elder fraud, hacking, and other scams, and using them to purchase Apple products and other high-value electronics. The electronics were then shipped to China and Hong Kong from a warehouse in Salem, New Hampshire, which was operated by Ren.
According to the indictment, the conspirators used WeChat, a Chinese messaging app, to coordinate purchases, sales, shipments, and payments through cryptocurrency. The lack of sales tax in New Hampshire made it an attractive location for the scammers to ship the electronics. Law enforcement searched Ren’s warehouse in 2024 and found iPhones purchased with gift cards stolen from American victims.
The indictment charges Ren with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The details of the case are allegations, and Ren is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case highlights the growing problem of gift card fraud and the need for consumers to be vigilant when purchasing and using gift cards.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: New Hampshire
- Location: NH
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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