Tampa, FL – Three Vietnamese nationals — Thu Phan Dinh, Tran Khanh, and Nguyen Duy Toan — are at the center of a massive pandemic fraud scheme that saw them allegedly operate over 300 fraudulent websites selling nonexistent hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. The U.S. Department of Justice has moved swiftly, securing a temporary restraining order to shut down the websites, which exploited nationwide shortages during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Thousands of victims across all fifty states paid for products they never received, lured by false promises of essential supplies.
The civil complaint, filed August 3, 2020, in the Middle District of Florida, details a calculated wire fraud operation designed to siphon cash from desperate Americans. The defendants, all residents of Vietnam, allegedly created hundreds of email accounts and used U.S.-based payment processors to mask their activities. They also listed fake contact addresses and phone numbers on the sites, forcing innocent U.S. individuals and businesses to absorb the fallout from furious, defrauded customers.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan P. Davis of the DOJ’s Civil Division didn’t mince words: ‘The Department of Justice is committed to preventing fraudsters from exploiting this pandemic for personal gain.’ He vowed to use every tool available to pursue scammers preying on citizens during a public health emergency. The action underscores the federal government’s aggressive stance on pandemic-related fraud.
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida emphasized that this case aligns with Attorney General Barr’s directive to prioritize pandemic fraud investigations. ‘We will continue to aggressively investigate and shut down these scams,’ she said, calling out the exploitation of Americans struggling to protect their families. The emergency ex parte order was issued by U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell, mandating immediate takedown of the websites by domain registrars.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, working under Operation Stolen Promise, led the probe in coordination with the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security. Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Sibley condemned the global criminal networks taking advantage of the pandemic, stating that schemes like this not only defraud consumers but also undermine legitimate trade and financial systems. HSI remains committed to dismantling such operations at every level.
While the U.S. moves to freeze the digital infrastructure behind the scam, Vietnamese authorities have already arrested Thu Phan Dinh, Tran Khanh, and Nguyen Duy Toan following their own investigation. The DOJ’s use of federal injunction statutes allows for rapid action to halt ongoing fraud and protect potential victims. The case remains active as both nations work to untangle the full scope of the defendants’ illicit network.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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