A Las Vegas woman has pleaded guilty to operating a large-scale counterfeit coupon scheme that federal authorities say defrauded retailers out of millions of dollars.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Serena Reamy Hedden admitted to manufacturing and selling fake coupons from her residence between August 2017 and September 2019. During that time, investigators say she produced nearly 3.5 million counterfeit coupons.
The fraudulent coupons were allegedly created with inflated face values, far exceeding legitimate retail offers, allowing users to obtain merchandise for free or at significantly reduced prices. Authorities say Hedden and her co-conspirators marketed and sold the counterfeit coupons through social media platforms and other online channels, mailing them to buyers through the U.S. Postal Service.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Hedden’s residence on Sept. 17, 2019. During the search, investigators reported finding electronic equipment used to manufacture the coupons, specialized paper, printers, large quantities of counterfeit coupons, unused shipping boxes, and binders containing spreadsheets documenting the operation.
Hedden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. She faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing on May 7.
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