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Vermin Control Scam Exposed in Queens
Myong Hwan Han, a 31-year-old resident of Queens, New York, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of mail fraud in connection with a scheme that targeted thousands of victims and defrauded them out of over $1 million.
According to the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, Han and a co-conspirator, known as CC-1, created and mailed thousands of fraudulent notices of violation that purported to be official communications from New York City related to vermin control violations.
The notices directed the recipients to make immediate payments to a sham entity created by Han and CC-1, which they called ‘Vermin Control of New York.’ In response, victims mailed checks to the sham entity based on their mistaken belief that the notices of violation were legitimate.
Han was presented today before Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman. If convicted, Han faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison for each of the charges.
The scheme allegedly began in April 2016, when CC-1 hired a print shop to print approximately 10,000 copies of a fraudulent notice, which included a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene logo and was purportedly signed by the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings.
The notice demanded immediate payment of $120 to be mailed to Vermin Control of New York, under threat of additional penalties, including fees and property liens. In response, approximately 101 victims mailed checks to the sham entity.
The United States Postal Inspection Service, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Investigation, investigated the case. Mr. Bharara praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and thanked the New York City Department of Investigation for its assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy V. Capozzi in charge of the prosecution.
The charges and allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Myong Hwan Han, a/k/a ‘David Han,’ was 31 years old at the time of the crime and a resident of Queens, New York, which is in the state of New York. The crime allegedly occurred from April 2016 through September 2016.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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