CARMEL, Ind. — A Carmel man was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after stealing $2,000,000 in an international identity fraud scheme where he stole from multiple victims in the United States and abroad.
Tuong Quoe Ho, 36, pleaded guilty to the following counts:
- twenty counts of wire fraud
- two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of possession of multiple unauthorized access device
- one count of unlawful possession of identification
- two counts of money laundering
According to the United States Department of Justice, Ho and co-conspirators unlawfully obtained personally identifiable information of victims around the world. Ho, who went by the alias Robert Parker, stole names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, social security numbers, and credit cards. He would then create fraudulent PayPal and eBay accounts in the victim’s names.
With the accounts, Ho would then place expensive items for sale, such as video game consoles, designer handbags, and other luxury items for lower prices on eBay. Further, he would purchase the products through a vendor shipping directly to individuals. How would still profit despite the lower prices because the items were purchased with stolen money.
Ho’s personal bank accounts were linked to over 500 fraudulent PayPal accounts. PayPal marked the accounts for suspicious activity, but Ho provided the additional information needed for the accounts including driver’s licenses, passports, utility bills, and bank statements, to make them appear to belong to the account holder.
Throughout the entire scheme, Ho stole more than $2,000,000 and wired $1,200,000 to his family in Vietnam. Ho also laundered money by purchasing property in Carmel worth more than $300,000.
On Oct. 24, 2018, the Carmel Police Department executed a search warrant on Ho’s residence and other buildings owned by Ho. He was arrested on state charges. Officers recovered 400 packages of merchandise sent to his fake name. Approximately $78,000 worth of merchandise was purchased with stolen credit cards. Even after his search was conducted, Ho continued to operate his scheme for two years.
Federal officials arrested Ho in 2020.
“Over seven years, the Defendant stole hundreds of identities and millions of dollars, exploiting eCommerce and financial platforms in a complex international scheme,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
“The serious federal prison sentence imposed today should serve as a warning to fraudsters that we are dedicated to finding you and holding you accountable for the harm you cause.”
Ho will serve three years on probation following his release from federal prison. Ho will be required to pay $217,147.87 in restitution.
