2 men accused of stealing, reselling $3.2M in merchandise from online retailers face arraignment in Seattle

Two men are accused of running a sophisticated retail theft scheme, fraudulently obtaining $3.2 million worth of stolen merchandise and refunds from major retailers, and reselling it across the country.

Brian Vinh Pham, 29, of Arlington, Texas, and Romar Aragon Noto, 22, of North Hills, California, are scheduled to be arraigned today, Friday, Nov. 13, in U.S. District Court in Seattle on a three-count federal indictment.

The pair reportedly led a retail theft ring from April 2023 through February 2026 that targeted four online retailers through fraudulent returns and website exploits, according to the indictment.

The defendants allegedly ordered products, requested refunds, and then used various tactics to make it appear the items were returned, while keeping the merchandise and reselling it to consumers, wholesalers, and third-party vendors.

Where and what did the suspects target?

One retailer specializing in home improvement products allegedly lost more than $124,000 through fraudulent refunds issued for more than 200 expander tools. Investigators say many of the return labels were attached to empty boxes or envelopes. The tools were later sold through Amazon Marketplace for roughly $96,000.

Federal prosecutors also allege the group obtained more than $162,000 in refunds for over 350 tankless water heaters that were never returned. Nearly 300 of those water heaters were later sold on Amazon Marketplace for more than $181,000. In total, the retailer was allegedly defrauded of more than 2,800 items worth more than $1.4 million.

Another retailer reportedly lost more than $1 million worth of clothing after the group allegedly obtained approximately 15,000 garments and sold them in bulk to other resellers. A fourth retailer was allegedly defrauded of about $767,000 through nearly 900 orders in which refunds were issued, but merchandise was never returned.

The indictment also alleges the group targeted a manufacturer of insulated stainless-steel tumblers, exploiting a website glitch that shipped canceled bulk orders without payment.

Discord and retail crime

Members of the group used the messaging platform Discord to coordinate more than 7,000 orders for more than 150,000 tumblers valued at about $6.5 million, according to prosecutors. The scheme successfully obtained more than 55,000 tumblers worth roughly $2.4 million through about 2,700 orders.

Allegedly, the merchandise was stored in warehouses in Texas and California before being sold through Amazon Marketplace, wholesalers, and third-party resellers.

Pham and Noto are also charged with money laundering. Prosecutors allege they transferred proceeds from the scheme between business accounts to conceal the funds.

What happens if convicted?

Conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A money laundering conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The FBI investigated the case.

The charges are allegations, and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

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