Four Chinese nationals who came to America on false pretenses have been sentenced to federal prison for a massive $1.2 million identity theft scheme that victimized hundreds of Americans.
The foreign criminals stole personal information to create fake driver’s licenses and fraudulently access credit at major U.S. retailers.
They will face deportation after serving their sentences—underscoring the growing threat of illegal aliens exploiting America’s vulnerable systems.
The sophisticated fraud operation was dismantled following a multi-agency investigation that revealed an extensive criminal enterprise targeting U.S. citizens and businesses.
Court records show the defendants entered the United States under false pretenses before executing their scheme against retailers, including Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.
Federal officials handed down sentences ranging from 12 months to 42 months in federal prison.
Kar Kee “Steven” Cheung received the harshest punishment at 42 months for visa fraud and related charges, while Qian Guo was sentenced to 33 months for possession of false identification equipment and conspiracy to commit access device fraud.
Chongming “Ming” Wang received 18 months, and Jiaozhu “Yanny” Yan was sentenced to 12 months and one day for visa fraud.
The case highlights ongoing national security concerns regarding foreign nationals who enter America with criminal intent.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that all four defendants will face deportation proceedings after completing their prison terms.
Two additional co-conspirators were also charged in the scheme. Sizhen “Rachel” Liu was previously sentenced to 50 months for conspiracy and access device fraud, while Hyun Woo “Scott” Jung has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Moreover, the investigation was a coordinated effort led by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and local police departments.
The case comes amid renewed cooperation between China and the United States on deportation issues.
The Communist regime has recently resumed cooperation with American authorities after nearly two years of refusing to accept deported nationals.
Over the past eight months, U.S. officials have reportedly sent five charter flights to China carrying deported Chinese nationals—a development that has coincided with a significant decrease in illegal border crossers from China.
Law enforcement officials have established a dedicated tipline for information on similar fraud schemes, particularly targeting retail security personnel who may encounter such crimes.
The DHS has stated it will continue working with Chinese authorities to combat human smuggling and deter irregular migration through coordinated efforts.
However, critics question whether these efforts will be enough to stem the tide of foreign criminals exploiting America’s borders and systems for financial gain.
Ultimately, the successful prosecution of these particular criminals represents just one small victory in an ongoing battle against international fraud targeting American citizens and businesses.
