Former Postal Employee Sentenced to over 6 Years in Federal Prison for Selling at Least 6,240 Credit Cards Stolen from the U.S. Mail
12/11/17 SANTA ANA, California – A Garden Grove man who worked for the United States Postal Service for more than two decades was sentenced today to 75 months in federal prison for stealing thousands of credit cards from the U.S. Mail and selling the credit cards on the black market.
Chinh Vuong, 49, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who also ordered the defendant to pay $325,085 in restitution to Chase Bank USA and American Express.
Vuong pleaded guilty in August 2016 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Vuong told federal investigators that he made at least $6,000 per month selling stolen credit cards and “used the funds from the sale of stolen credit cards to pay for personal expenses, including designer handbags and boots, two BMW automobiles, alcohol and drugs,” according to court documents.
Prior to being confronted with evidence of the thefts, Vuong had worked at the United States Postal Service Santa Ana Processing and Distribution Center as a mail processing clerk for about 25 years. On October 6, 2015, federal authorities searched Vuong’s residence and seized approximately 199 stolen credit cards and luxury items, such as more than 20 handbags from designers that included Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci.
“On the day of the warrant, [Vuong] described to federal agents how he executed the bank fraud conspiracy and identity theft scheme,” according to a sentencing memorandum filed with the court. “While at work, [Vuong] would identify envelopes that contained American Express and Chase credit cards but had been marked ‘undeliverable.’ Rather than let those envelopes be returned to the respective bank, [Vuong] stuffed the envelopes with new credit cards inside into his waistband. Then, he made trips to his car while on break to hide the stolen credit cards.”
Vuong admitted to investigators that in the year prior to the search, he had stolen an average of 40 credit card envelopes, three to five nights per week, which means he stole at least 6,240 credit cards over a one-year period.
The investigation into Vuong was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Identity Theft & Economic Crimes Task Force; the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Westminster Police Department provided assistance during the investigation.
The case against Vuong was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vibhav Mittal of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Be careful in federal prison…don’t drop the soap!!!
He said most of the cards he was taking was marked undeliverable. I think that’s how he got caught because once he got a taste there weren’t enough undeliverables to quench his thirst so either he made some undeliverable or he just started taking any cards he saw coming through. Once you got that greed bug it’s over. Say what’s up to your cellmate Bubbah
Rot in hell you worthless human being. No sympathy for thieves here, we don’t need that kind of negative publicity…
Vuong admitted to investigators that in the year prior to the search, he had stolen an average of 40 credit card envelopes, three to five nights per week, which means he stole at least 6,240 credit cards over a one-year period.
How in the F$$K, was this person able to steal 6240 credit cards, who in the hell was looking over the Hen House. Oh I know, those great Supervisors, they were probably worried about those office numbers.
Great Job for catching this guy, but it did take 6 years.
I commend all those who take liberty In assuring proper investigation when it comes to those committing a crime. Crimes are committed in various ways and numerous of times occurring on a daily basis which tends to be neglected. Rather it consists of a subject body of agent, official, or third party involvement according to the situation and incidents prior to the victim or person (people). Assuring the safety well being of all individuals and aspects of our surroundings in the community and our work environment. Behavior and concerns reported should be highly taken into consideration and prompted in all respective manner