Coupon Scheme Worth $9.9M; Woman Pleads Guilty In NJ

NEWARK, NJ — A California woman accused of selling counterfeit retail coupons pleaded guilty in front of a New Jersey judge this week, according to the Department of Justice.

Tong Lor, also known as Mandy Carr, is a 34-year-old resident of Modesto, Calif. A news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey said Lor pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Court documents show Lor was involved in "a large-scale operation" to make and sell fake Catalina Coupons through the U.S. Postal Service system. Lor sold the coupons "via invitation-only internet groups associated with her business" on the app Telegram.

Catalina is the brand of coupon dispenser that you might see next to a check-out register. Hundreds of retailers across the U.S. honor these coupons.

Lor sold the coupons to people in New Jersey and across the U.S. from about 2017 to 2021, the news release said. More than 100,000 coupons went out for items like diapers, toiletries, and laundry detergent. Lor sent more than 13,000 USPS parcels, officials said, with a value of more than $9.9 million.

Lor faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and either a $250,000 fine or twice the gain/loss from the offense. Her sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 16.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service assisted the state's Acting Inspector In Charge in looking into Lor.