Related Federal Cases
Portsmouth Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Mail Fraud Schemes
NORFOLK, Va. — Richard Edward Hardy, 55, was sentenced to 2 years in prison for defrauding nearly 20 victims across the United States of almost $90,000 in several mail fraud schemes.
According to court documents, between 2020 and 2022, Hardy conspired with others to use the U.S. postal service and other mail carriers to defraud victims in romance, real estate, and other fraud schemes. In the real estate scheme, victims responded to a property that was listed for rent online. The victims were instructed to send a security deposit and first month’s rent to Hardy at his home in Portsmouth. Unbeknownst to the victims, the properties were not actually for rent, and Hardy cashed the money orders and shared the proceeds with his coconspirators.
Hardy defrauded nearly all the victims after being convicted in Portsmouth General District Court of similar conduct in December 2020. Further, after federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home in September 2022, Hardy continued to defraud additional victims in a change-of-address scheme.
U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis presided over the sentencing hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt prosecuted the case.
Hardy’s crimes are a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when engaging in online transactions. The victims in this case lost nearly $90,000, which is a staggering amount of money that could have been used for countless purposes.
The case serves as a warning to individuals who engage in similar schemes. The consequences of such actions can be severe, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-54.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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