Six Suspects Arrested in Walmart Fraud Scheme Spanning from Arizona to Vietnam
Authorities in Peoria have taken six individuals into custody as part of a large-scale fraud operation that reportedly ranges from Arizona all the way to Vietnam. They were booked into jail and are being held on $500,000 cash bonds, according to a report by Fox 10.
The Peoria Police Department shared on social media that their Special Investigations Unit spent two months looking into the matter. The suspects are accused of being involved in a scheme that defrauded Walmart of approximately $1.4 million.
The investigation was initiated after a Walmart delivery driver observed multiple packages being delivered to a Peoria residence, all under varying names. Following this, investigators uncovered a network allegedly utilizing stolen credit card details from Walmart customers to make online purchases. The items bought through these fraudulent means were subsequently shipped in containers to Vietnam.
Coordinating with local SWAT teams from Peoria, Mesa, Avondale, and Goodyear, investigators executed simultaneous search warrants. They were supported by Homeland Security Investigations and Walmart’s Loss Prevention team.
During the investigation, around $25,000 worth of merchandise was recovered. Additionally, authorities seized $35,000 in cash and $45,000 in gold bars.
According to AZ Family, the suspects are believed to have placed over 15,000 orders on Walmart’s website using hacked customer accounts and stolen payment information, all while cleverly altering their addresses to sidestep fraud detection.
Reportedly, the purchased merchandise was channeled through two boba shops located in Peoria and Tolleson before being transported to California for shipment to Vietnam via U.S. Cargo Shipping LLC.
Authorities have identified Hoài Nguyen Nguyen as the operation’s alleged mastermind, although he has denied any involvement. The other accused individuals include Thien Tran, Uy Vu Phan, Minh Ngọc Nguyen, Hie Xuan Le, and Hailey Hang Nguyen.
The charges against the six encompass fraud, identity theft, computer tampering, and trafficking in stolen property.
“Honestly, without the keen eye of that delivery driver, I’m not sure this would have come to our attention,” remarked Officer William Kennedy.
