Crime & Safety
Sophisticated Fraud Scheme Busted In Sonoma County
Hundreds of victims lost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to authorities.
SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Two people were arrested on suspicion of multiple fraud and identity theft crimes last week, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
The case began a few months ago after deputies arrested a woman on multiple felony warrants, the sheriff's office said.
During that arrest, investigators allegedly found evidence of check fraud that led them to Ahn Phan and Nguyet Nguyen in Sacramento.
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According the sheriff's office, Phan and Nguyen were creating and distributing counterfeit U.S. Postal Service mail keys to suspects in the Bay Area, who stole mail and then delivered it to Phan.
Phan is accused of using stolen checks and credit/debit cards to commit fraud. This involved creating fake identities, complete with forged documents, for others to cash checks or use cards until they were canceled, the sheriff's office said.
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Over several years, Phan allegedly defrauded hundreds of victims, stealing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
On April 17, detectives served search warrants at Phan's and Nguyen's Sacramento homes, allegedly recovering hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, personal checks, and fraudulently created credit cards.
Both were arrested at a Sacramento-area casino, where additional identity theft evidence was allegedly found.
They were ultimately booked into the Sonoma County Jail, but have since posted bail and been released pending their next court appearance.
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