A Chinese citizen linked to a major gift-card counterfeiting operation targeting Coshocton-area consumers has been sentenced to four to six years in prison for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Ming Xue, 32, of Hunan, in the Fujian Province, also faced 308 felony counts of counterfeiting. These charges were combined with the single charge for which Xue was recently sentenced in Coshocton County Common Pleas Court.
Yost commented on the sentence, stating it should deter other scammers from defrauding consumers. "This is a stark reminder to bad actors: We won’t let you cash in on deceit," Yost said. "Special thanks to the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office for their work in securing justice."
The sentencing follows a grand jury indictment of Xue in January. The 309 charges stemmed from his arrest the previous month at a Walmart in Coshocton after deputies apprehended him for hiding unloaded gift cards on his body. The deputies were present at the store for the annual Shop with a Cop program for needy children.
Further investigation uncovered hundreds of other gift cards in Xue’s vehicle, revealing a broader scheme that remains under investigation. Xue was found to have stolen unloaded gift cards, altered them, and then returned them to display racks at various stores in the area. When consumers bought these altered gift cards and money was loaded onto them, Xue and his associates stole the money.
In addition to his prison sentence, Xue was ordered to pay $161.39 to cover the cost of the unloaded gift cards.
The case was prosecuted by the office of Coshocton County Prosecutor Ben Hall with assistance from several units within AG Yost's office including the Economic Crimes Unit of the Consumer Protection Section, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission (OOCIC).
"The state aggressively prosecuted Mr. Ming Xue, seeking what is likely the largest indictment in Coshocton County history," said Hall. "Hopefully this criminal enterprise will decide that the cost of operation in Coshocton County is too high." He extended thanks to all involved parties for their dedication during both investigation and prosecution phases.
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, Yost’s Consumer team urges Ohioans to take precautions when purchasing gift cards:
- Ensure that the PIN on the back of any card hasn’t been scratched off or tampered with.
- Monitor delivery via U.S. Postal Service carefully.
- Consider sending electronic gift cards directly through verified email addresses or phone numbers.
Consumers who suspect scams or encounter unfair business practices are encouraged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or call 800-282-0515.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Hundley: 614-906-9113