Indiana Couple Swindled Amazon With Fake IDs

MUNCIE, IN — An eastern Indiana couple has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1.2 million in merchandise from Amazon.

Erin Joseph Finan, 38, and Leah Jeanette Finan, 37, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, The Star Press reported.

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said the Muncie couple bought hundreds of electronics items from Amazon using hundreds of fake online identities. He said they contacted Amazon to report the items were damaged and requested replacements for free.

Authorities said the couple then sold the stolen merchandise to an associate in Indianapolis, who sold the items to an entity in New York. Among the stolen merchandise were GoPro cameras, Xbox consoles and smartwatches.

The plea agreement requires the couple to repay the money to Amazon. The deal also said the Finans waived their right to appeal if they're sentenced to less than seven years and three months in prison.

The Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Indiana State Police investigated the case.
The Finans are scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 9.

Leah Finan was charged in April in Delaware Circuit Court with theft, deception and check deception in a separate case. Her trial for that case is set to begin Feb. 1.

Erin Finan has been convicted of check deception in Delaware County and theft in Madison County.

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