Malaysian Duo Sentenced for Identity Theft and Financial Crimes in Northern Mariana Islands

Two Malaysian nationals, Kuan Siong Tan and Choon Boon Tan, were sentenced in the District Court of Guam on March 5, 2014, following their convictions of aggravated identity theft.

Sentencing

• Each defendant received a term of 24 months imprisonment
• Three years of supervised release for both
• Restitution to be paid to victims: Choon Boon Tan owes $634.42, Kuan Siong Tan owes $1,961.43

Arrest and Uncovered Evidence

• Identified during a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency on January 8, 2013
• Numerous counterfeit credit cards found in their possession
• Used these fraudulent cards to obtain goods and services in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Bangkok, Thailand
• Kuan Siong Tan possessed 47 counterfeit credit cards
• Choon Boon Tan carried 39 counterfeit credit cards

Stolen Credit Card Information

• Some of the credit cards possessed belonged to U.S. residents
• Financial institutions affected: Chase Bank, Bank of America, and Capital One Bank

Criminal Activities Brought to Light

• Arrested by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Secret Service agents on January 8, 2013

Commitment to Combating Identity Theft

• U.S. Attorney Alicia A.G. Limtiaco: “identity theft and related white collar crimes victimize individuals, financial institutions, and merchants.”
• U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice dedicated to preventing, investigating, and prosecuting identity theft.

Handling of Prosecution

• Prosecution of this case handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero
• Assistance from Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Secret Service.