Hundreds of Elderly and Vulnerable Victims Targeted in $1M+ Scheme
October 24, 2025 – By Brooks Jarosz – The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office High Impact Team has dismantled a sprawling organized retail theft and fraud enterprise responsible for trafficking in millions of dollars’ worth of stolen goods — and exploiting elderly victims across the country to do it.
The investigation began in June 2025, when detectives started tracking retail thefts. They uncovered a highly sophisticated criminal network operating across the Bay Area and beyond.
Key suspects include Thanh Vo, 23, of San Jose, and Corey Guting, 37, of Milpitas, who supplied stolen items to Erik Nguyen, 45, of San Jose. Nguyen also purchased and resold large quantities of goods from business operators Ye Zhang, 37 of Monterey Park; De Lu, 25, of San Jose; and Yan Wong, 32, of Campbell –- who were fraudulently acquiring merchandise through a widespread gift card scam. Zhang, Lu, and Wang operated online marketplaces, shipping products to buyers across the country.
“This case is one of the most significant takedowns of organized retail crime we’ve seen in Santa Clara County,” said Sheriff Robert Jonsen. “It shows what’s possible when skilled investigators, strong partnerships, and targeted resources come together to protect our communities.”
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the High Impact Team executed five coordinated search warrants at homes, storage units, and a warehouse in San Jose and Campbell. These locations were used as storage, drop-off, and distribution centers for the stolen merchandise.
At one residence on Banana Grove Lane in San Jose, investigators recovered more than a dozen box truckloads of The Home Depot merchandise — including electrical wire, switches, light fixtures, and other home improvement products. The estimated value exceeds $1 million, though a full inventory is ongoing due to the overwhelming volume. Every room in the home — from closets to hallways — was packed floor to ceiling with stolen goods.
Additionally, nearly 100 totes filled with bottles of wine were recovered and returned to Target, many of which are believed to have been stolen.
But the investigation revealed more than just retail theft.
Detectives uncovered a nationwide fraud scheme targeting hundreds of victims – many of them elderly – through online and phone scams. Victims were coerced into purchasing high-value gift cards, often from The Home Depot and Lowe’s, and providing the card information to scammers. These gift cards were then used by Zhang, Lu, Wong, and their associates to purchase thousands of dollars in merchandise daily. Investigators estimate more than $10,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases occurred each day at Bay Area retail locations for several months.
“Gift card fraud is a major driver of organized retail crime, and our work to stop it goes far beyond protecting our bottom line,” said Scott Glenn, Vice President of Asset Protection at The Home Depot. “We’re proud to play a role in the nationwide effort to combat organized retail crime and grateful for the partnership and dedication of Santa Clara County law enforcement in investigating these cases and holding offenders accountable.”
All six suspects were booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges including organized retail theft, financial elder abuse, theft by false pretenses, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.
The Sheriff’s Office believes additional victims may be connected to the scheme. Anyone with information or who believes they may have been a victim is urged to contact investigators at ORT@shf.sccgov.org.
Retailers including The Home Depot, Target, Lowe’s, and Sprouts are currently inventorying the recovered property. Much of it is expected to be returned. This marks the largest recovery of stolen goods since the task force was formed in 2024.
“This is exactly why the High Impact Team exists,” Sheriff Jonsen said. “With the support of state grant funding, we’re not just recovering stolen goods — we’re protecting the vulnerable and restoring safety in our communities.”
This operation was made possible through a State of California grant aimed at combating organized retail theft. The High Impact Team includes members of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and works in collaboration with allied agencies and retail partners.
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