Local Retailers Fall Victim to Sophisticated Scam

A Wisconsin man has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for defrauding local retailers in Iowa by switching UPC codes on consumer products.

Jeremy J. Fishnick, 27, from Lancaster, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on July 1, 2013, and was sentenced in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to 14 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

According to court documents, Fishnick used home computer equipment and a printer to create fraudulent UPC codes on adhesive labels, which he then used to cover real UPC codes on higher-priced models of certain products in retail stores. This allowed him to purchase the items at substantially lower prices when electronically scanned at checkout.

Fishnick’s scheme caused a loss of over $30,000 to retailers in Dubuque, Maquoketa, Anamosa, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Monticello, and Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. He also admitted to selling or attempting to sell a substantial portion of the fraudulently-obtained items over the Internet.

Fishnick was ordered to make $33,632.74 in restitution to victim retailers, including $9,912.75 to one retailer for costs incurred in investigating his offense. A special assessment of $100 was also imposed.

Fishnick was released on bond and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on November 13, 2013. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and investigated by multiple police departments in Iowa and Wisconsin.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

White Collar Crime

Moonda, Healthcare Fraud, Ohio 2006

Jun 21, 2006

White Collar Crime

Health Care Srv Corp, Wire Fraud, Illinois 1998

Jan 15, 1998

White Collar Crime

P.M. Charged with Conspiracy, Northern California 2023

Jun 28, 2023

White Collar Crime

Amber Romanze Miller, Money Laundering, Nevada 2004

Jan 15, 2004