2023-08-04 23:51:15
A Home Depot customer allegedly stole nearly $400,000 from the company by returning his items without a receipt.
At least that’s what federal prosecutors in Connecticut say, who accuse 26-year-old Alexandre Henrique Costa-Mota of cracking down on Home Depot stores in eight states.
According to the charging documents, the man bought expensive doors, then returned them to the store without a receipt, in exchange for credit.
The alleged fraud took place between June 2021 and February 2022, according to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Mr. Costa-Mota walked into stores empty-handed, “dressed to look like an entrepreneur.”
He would then collect the Andersen doors and take them to each store’s service department, where he would return them without a receipt, reports the New York Post.
Each time he succeeded, Mr. Costa-Mota received a credit which he then redeemed at other stores in Connecticut and surrounding states.
This scheme lasted at least nine months, during which Mr. Costa-Mota allegedly received 370 fraudulent credits worth $297,332, or approximately C$400,000.
The Home Depot allows customers to return items without a receipt, but requires identification to do so.
Mr. Costa-Mota allegedly circumvented these safeguards by using fraudulent driver’s licenses or IDs containing fabricated names to make the returns.
Mr. Costa-Morta pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
He was taken into custody without bail.
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