Ex-Amazon Employee Receives Sentence After Stealing Nearly $500,000

Tiffany Vo, a former Amazon employee, has been sentenced to over a year in jail for orchestrating a wire fraud scheme netting her nearly $500,000.

At a Glance

Tiffany Vo was sentenced for wire fraud involving almost $500,000 stolen from Amazon.
She pleaded guilty and will pay over $483,000 in restitution and undergo three years of supervised release after being released from prison.
The fraudulent activities occurred during her time at Amazon from 2017 to 2022.
Vo used fake invoices and reports for personal expenses, including luxury items and vehicles.
The FBI’s investigation led to her prosecution and sentencing.

Details of the Fraud Scheme

Tiffany Vo, a Denver resident, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for a wire fraud scheme that netted close to half a million dollars from Amazon. Vo worked at Amazon from 2017 to 2022 and exploited her role during the 2020 health emergency, when she was responsible for administering virtual employee programs. Her fraudulent activities took place between mid-2020 and June 2022.

Vo submitted fabricated invoices and expense reports, unlawfully claiming reimbursements for non-existent corporate events. Her schemes amassed $483,393.58 by exploiting company resources

Matt Kirsch, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, emphasized, “White collar crimes like this one cause financial impact to not just corporate entities, but to consumers and taxpayers.”

Tiffany Vo, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of wire fraud for a reimbursement scheme, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado said in a release Thursday. https://t.co/pUASxrOryF

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 18, 2024

Personal Gains from Fraud

Tiffany Vo utilized her ill-gotten gains for an array of personal purchases. These included but were not limited to high-end designer handbags, sunglasses, condo payments, and two vehicles. Additionally, she financed exercise equipment and numerous beauty products with the stolen money. Vo’s fraudulent actions consisted of over 30 fabricated catering invoices totaling over $240,000, more than 10 fake invoices for happy hour events exceeding $55,000, and at least 11 fictitious requests for food delivery gift cards, all amassing over $50,000. She further misused a corporate credit card for personal items valued over $120,000.

An FBI investigation uncovered her scheme, leading to her arrest and subsequent prosecution. Mark Michalek, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge, stated, “Instead of working for her employer, this defendant was furtively working against her employer. Over the course of her deception, she stole nearly $500,000 and used the money to live exorbitantly beyond her means.”

Legal Consequences and Corporate Cooperation

In addition to her incarceration, Vo has been ordered to pay $483,393.58 in restitution and will undergo three years of supervised release. An Amazon spokesperson, Zoe Hoffmann, expressed the company’s appreciation for law enforcement’s involvement throughout the investigation and resolution of the case. “We appreciate the support of the authorities in bringing this matter to closure,” Hoffmann said.

Amazon played a pivotal role by cooperating with authorities during the investigation. Their assistance was essential in uncovering the depth of the financial misconduct and aiding in Vo’s eventual sentencing. This case serves as a reminder of the impact of white-collar crime and the importance of corporate vigilance in today’s complex financial landscape.