Las Vegas woman pleads guilty to selling nearly 3.5 million fake coupons

A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty in a Nevada federal court this week to making and selling nearly 3.5 million counterfeit coupons.

Defendant Serena Hedden pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. She made nearly 3.5 million fake coupons from Aug. 23, 2017, to Sept. 17, 2019, when a federal search warrant was executed at her residence, the Justice Department said.

Hedden used the coupons, which offered discounts or deals far beyond those of a legitimate coupon, to get goods from various retailers for cheap or even for free.

She also sold the fake coupons to accomplices via social media and through the mail, then sold the merchandise she got with her share of the coupons, the Justice Department said.

The fake coupons caused at least $20,833,517 in store losses, prosecutors said.

In addition to a stash of fake coupons, the search warrant turned up specialized paper and printers, other electronic equipment she needed to make the coupons, binders containing ledgers and unused packing boxes.

Hedden faces up to 20 years in prison upon her sentencing on May 7. The Justice Department did not name any of the co-conspirators to whom she sold fake coupons or say whether they are facing charges.