Two women have been sentenced for running a counterfeit coupon operation that defrauded retailers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, highlighting the ongoing impact of coupon fraud on stores and consumers. The pair targeted major chains—Stop & Shop, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Target—using fake coupons to purchase products for little or no cost, then reselling the items online for profit.
The scheme began after one woman was banned from a Massachusetts grocery store for shoplifting. She joined a Facebook group selling counterfeit coupon templates, which she used with her accomplice to exploit checkout systems and gather large amounts of products like laundry detergent and household goods.
Authorities estimate the ringleader obtained over $100,000 in fraudulent discounts at Stop & Shop alone, not including other stores. The operation came to light in May 2023 when suspicious activity at a Quincy Stop & Shop led to police intervention, arresting both women and resulting in an indictment for larceny and organized retail theft.
In July 2024, the accomplice was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, with the possibility of case dismissal, while the ringleader received a suspended 2.5-year sentence and three years’ probation. The case has fueled debate over coupon fraud, as retailers implement stricter policies that affect all shoppers.
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