Second Defendant Convicted in Multi-State Retail Crime Theft Scheme

PROVIDENCE – A Michigan man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island today to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a scheme that defrauded a Rhode Island-based retail outlet of approximately $140,000, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

From at least June 2022, and continuing to April 3, 2024, Mattek Scott, 27, of Flint, MI, and co-conspirators, to include Ariana Asberry, 26, of Flint, MI, fraudulently obtained money, pre-paid gift cards, and merchandise from at least 35 of the retailer’s outlets in at least 11 states, including in Rhode Island.

As part of the scheme, Scott, Arianna, and others would use fraudulent debit or credit cards to purchase merchandise and pre-paid gift cards. When the fraudulent payment cards were declined, they directed the cashier to complete the transaction by pushing the “Cash tendered” button; however, no cash was tendered. As a result of this scheme, the gift cards were loaded with U.S. Currency, ranging from $199 to $500.

Scott, Arianna, and others traveled to various retail outlets to purchase new pre-paid gift cards using the fraudulently obtained pre-paid cards. The proceeds were then used on various goods and services, including hotel stays, restaurant meals, groceries, car repairs, utilities, gas, and convenience store items.

The Rhode Island- based retailer suffered losses totaling approximately $140,000.

Scott is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Arianna Asberry pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024, to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was sentenced to time served, three years federal supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,633.01.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Julianne Klein.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations

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