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(Scroll down for video) Three women were arrested after living the highlife from money they made by selling counterfeit coupons.
Phoenix, Arizona police arrested Robin Ramirez, 40, Amiko Fountain, 42, and Marilyn Johnson, 54, after the three were discovered running a sophisticated counterfeit coupon ring.
Ramirez, who is the alleged ringleader, owned a fleet of 26 vehicles worth $240,000, three homes, 22 guns and a 36-foot speed boat, all paid for with profit from her counterfeit coupons scam. More than 40 U.S. manufacturers, including Procter & Gamble, fell victim to Ramirez’s scam.
The three suspects were charged with illegal control of an enterprise, forgery, counterfeiting, fraudulent schemes and trafficking stolen property. Investigators seized $40 million in counterfeit manufacturer coupons and $1.1 million in assets from the home of Ramirez. The coupons were for almost 240 products, including movie theaters, Starbucks, free products and others.
An eight-week investigation was a joint effort by the Phoenix Police Department, the FBI and several large manufacturers, including Procter & Gamble. Up to 40 major manufacturers were affected by the illegal operation. The women allegedly sold the fake “high value” coupons online through sites that include Savvyshoppersite.com and ebay, according to a release by Coupon Information Center, which helped coordinate the investigation.
Ramirez sold enough fake coupons online to turn a $2.3 million profit over five years. She was sentenced to two years in state prison. Fountain, 43, and Johnson, 54, each received three years probation for their part in the scam.CBS 5 - KPHO Mobile video not loading? Click here to view
