Stolen Identities Used to Purchase More Than $700,000 in Apple Products

April 10, 2018 – Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the sentencing of ANNIE VUONG, 31, to 2-to-6 years in state prison for stealing personal identifying information from more than 650 patients at the dentist’s office where she worked.

Three previously convicted co-defendants then used that information to fraudulently purchase more than $700,000 in Apple products.

On March 16, 2018, a New York State Supreme Court jury found VUONG guilty of 189 counts in the indictment against her, including Grand Larceny in the Second and Third Degrees, Identity Theft in the First and Second Degrees, and Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the Second Degree.

“Annie Vuong exploited her access to confidential patient information to commit large-scale identity theft against hundreds of unsuspecting victims, as a jury found in this 189-count conviction,” said District Attorney Vance. “Her role as the source of stolen information set this entire scheme into motion, enabling her co-defendants to rack up more than $700,000 in fraudulent purchases. Now, thanks to my Office’s Cybercrime and Identity Theft Bureau, this ring of cybercriminals has been dismantled and similar cybercriminal operations have been put on notice. I urge all victims of cybercrime and identity theft to report these crimes to my Office at (212) 335-9600.”

As proven at trial, VUONG was employed as a receptionist at a dentist’s office where she had access to patient information, including names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Between May and November 2012, VUONG copied the personal identifying information of 653 dental patients and shared the information with previously convicted co-defendant DEVIN BAZILE via e-mail. BAZILE, a former Apple sales associate, then used the stolen information provided by VUONG to obtain credit lines ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 from Barclaycard and purchase Apple merchandise. In total, he and two other co-defendants, JOSHUA HAUGHTON and AHMEEN EVANS, purchased approximately $700,000 in Apple gift cards—which were later used to purchase tablet and laptop computers—with the fraudulently obtained credit.

VUONG was apprehended on February 2, 2015 following a two-and-a-half-year-long investigation by the District Attorney’s Office.

Defendant Information:
ANNIE VUONG, D.O.B. 1/1/1987
Bronx, NY

Convicted:

  • Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
  • Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony 49 counts
  • Identity Theft in the First Degree, a class D felony, 63 counts
  • Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 45 counts
  • Identity Theft in the Second Degree, a class F felony, 30 counts
  • Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the Second Degree, a class E felony, one count
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