News Summary
A Virginia Beach couple has been sentenced for orchestrating the largest coupon fraud in U.S. history, causing over $31 million in retailer losses. Lori Ann Talens received a 12-year sentence, while her husband got 7 years. They operated from their home, producing and selling counterfeit coupons online. The FBI uncovered thousands of fake coupons, designs, and coupon paper in their residence. Several women who bought these coupons were also charged, with some paying thousands of dollars and causing hundreds of thousands in damages. The scheme highlights ongoing issues with coupon fraud impacting retailers and consumers.
Virginia Beach – Lori Ann Talens has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for orchestrating the largest coupon fraud scheme in U.S. history, which resulted in over $31 million in losses to retailers. Her husband, Pacifico Talens, received a 7-year sentence for his involvement in the elaborate scheme. The couple operated from their home in Virginia Beach, where they designed, created, and distributed thousands of counterfeit coupons from April 2017 to May 2020.
During a search of their residence, the FBI discovered thousands of counterfeit coupons, rolls of coupon paper, and designs for over 13,000 products. Talens, using her graphic design skills, produced highly realistic counterfeit coupons that offered deals that were excessively advantageous, which she sold online through social media platforms.
The scheme has led to criminal charges against five women identified as the top buyers in Talens’ operation: Sherise Williams of Palmetto, Florida; Amber Teague of Louisville, Kentucky; Jennifer Snyder of Lavon, Texas; Melissa Apodaca of Thornton, Colorado; and Cindi Swindle of Jacksonville, Florida. Sherise Williams was the most prominent among them, paying Talens over $19,000 through 274 transactions, which consequently cost retailers about $1.3 million. The other four women participated in several dozen transactions that collectively resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.
Experts indicate that fraudulent coupons often find their way onto the dark web and are promoted via social media, with some individuals reselling the purchased products at garage sales or on various online platforms. Such counterfeit coupon operations not only negatively impact retailers, causing substantial financial losses, but also raise prices for consumers and necessitate increased security measures for legitimate coupon users.
In a related incident, another woman named Jacqueline White pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $27,000 from Stop & Shop stores using counterfeit coupons. Her operations involved purchasing phony coupons through social media and apps, committing thefts across multiple stores in Massachusetts.
Law enforcement in the United States is increasingly targeting buyers involved in coupon fraud, making it clear that utilizing fake coupons is illegal. The Coupon Information Center, led by Bud Miller, has played a significant role in exposing this large-scale scam and enhancing public awareness regarding coupon fraud.
Sentencing for the five women involved in the Virginia Beach scheme is scheduled for December at the Norfolk Federal Courthouse, marking a significant step in addressing the issue of coupon fraud that has deeply affected retailers and the integrity of coupon usage across the nation.
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Virginia Beach Couple Sentenced for $31 Million Coupon Fraud Scheme
Additional Resources
- WTKR: More Arrests Made in $31M Coupon Fraud Scheme
- Wikipedia: Coupon Fraud
- Enterprise News: Taunton MA Counterfeit Coupons Case
- Google Search: Coupon Fraud 2025
- MassLive: Taunton Woman Admits to Coupon Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coupon
- Turn to 10: Taunton Woman Sentenced for Coupon Scheme
- Google News: Coupon Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
