An Ohio woman is behind more than 1,700 fraudulent returns totaling $266,699 at Home Depot stores across multiple states — and the scheme has now landed her in jail.
The Medina Township Police Department identified the alleged ringleader of the multi-state organized retail fraud operation as Tracy A. James of Peebles, a small village in southwest Ohio.
MEDINA TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) – An Ohio woman accused of over 1,700 fraudulent returns totaling $266,699 in a multi-state organized retail fraud scheme is now in jail, according to the Medina Township Police Department.
Tracy A. James carried out over 1,700 fraudulent returns totaling $266,699 at Home Depot stores across multiple states.
According to the investigation, James used fake driver’s licenses and multiple aliases to accumulate store credit through these fraudulent returns over several years, the Medina Township Police Department told Cleveland 19 News.
The fraudulent transactions took place at Home Depot locations in Brunswick, Medina, Miamisburg, Milford, Wadsworth, Ohio, and several locations in Kentucky.
Following an investigation by the Medina Township Police Department, Tracy A. James is now in custody.
Authorities said James used the store credit she obtained through fraudulent returns to buy merchandise, which she then resold online.
The Medina County Prosecutor’s Office indicted her on one count of telecommunications fraud, a second-degree felony. She pleaded guilty on February 27.
The Medina County Court of Common Pleas sentenced James to five years of community control supervision, 180 days in the Medina County Jail, and 100 hours of community service.
Additionally, she must pay Home Depot $266,699 in restitution.
