Upon closer examination, a million-dollar Amazon shopping spree by an Indiana couple has been determined to actually be a million-dollar stealing spree.
Erin and Leah Finan pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering charges in an Indianapolis district court after the couple admitted to stealing $1.2 million worth of merchandise from Amazon.
The charges against the Finans were filed after an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Indiana State Police.
The Finans could face up to 20 years in prison after purchasing hundreds of electronics items from Amazon using “hundreds of false online identities,” according to U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. The couple would then take the items and report them as “not working” so they could receive replacements from the retailer and sell the stolen merchandise.
The stolen items are reported to include digital cameras, Microsoft Xboxes, and smartwatches. Facing up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines, the Finans’ plea agreements require them to pay $1,218,504 in restitution to Amazon. The couple must also waive their right to appeal if their sentence is less than seven years and three months in prison.
No word yet on whether the couple were prime members, but probably fair to assume Amazon won’t be giving them free shipping on packages to prison.
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