​8 Charged With Felony Wire Fraud In Scheme That Stole Over $1M From Online Shopping Companies

OAKLAND, CA — Eight people were charged in federal court this month with felony wire fraud in connection with a scheme to steal more than $1 million from two online shopping companies, including one based in San Francisco.

The charges include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, and aiding and abetting, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California's office.

The eight are residents of various cities in Michigan, Ohio, Oregon and California.

The case remained under seal as of Sunday.

The eight defendants are accused of gaining access to the accounts of shoppers that work for the companies, then placing orders on the accounts, which would load the accounts temporarily with a cash amount the shopper would supposedly buy the groceries with. Instead, the defendants allegedly bought gift cards with the accounts and cancelled the grocery order.

The gift cards were allegedly then used to buy cryptocurrency and make online purchases.

The companies, the other of which was based in Birmingham, Alabama, were defrauded of more than $1 million, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California's office.

All are free on bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25 in Oakland.

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