Three Charged in Amazon Fraud Scheme
A couple from Delaware County and a man from Indianapolis are facing charges related to an alleged $1.2 million scheme involving Amazon. Erin and Leah Finan and Danijel Glumac are accused of defrauding Amazon of hundreds of electronics products and selling them on the black market.
Court documents say the Finans falsely claimed that the electronics they ordered on Amazon were damaged or not working, then receiving replacements at no charge. The office of U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler says, while Amazon closely monitors accounts for possible fraudulent activity, the Finans "allegedly went to great lengths to conceal their fraud, creating hundreds of false online identities to perpetrate the scheme."
Minkler’s office says the Finans allegedly stole more than $1.2 million in items, including GoPro digital cameras, Microsoft Xbox gaming systems, Samsung smartwatches, and Microsoft Surface tablets.
"Consumer fraud is absorbed by all of us through higher retail prices," said Minkler. "Buying and selling black market items across state lines is against federal law and those who choose to ignore that will be held accountable."
Additionally, a grand jury indictment alleges Glumac fenced the stolen goods to an entity in New York. He is also accused of advising the Finans on how to evade detection by Amazon. After laundering the proceeds from the sales of stolen goods through bank accounts associated with his clothing business, Glumac allegedly paid the Finans their cut, which came to a total of $725,000.
The Finans have agreed to plead guilty to federal mail fraud and money laundering charges. Glumac faces charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering.
Minkler’s office says the charges carry maximum sentences of 10 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.