New Yorker Wen Ping Chen Pleads Not Guilty To Credit Card Scam

The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Wen Ping Chen, 47, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to charges of credit card fraud. U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy released Chen on conditions pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

On October 15, 2015, a federal grand jury in Burlington returned a three-count indictment charging Chen with conspiring to commit access device fraud, possessing 15 or more counterfeit access devices, and using counterfeit access devices. The charges stem from an incident in August 2014 which resulted in the arrests in South Burlington of alleged co-conspirators Shao Qing Chen (no relation) and Kewang Lin.

According to the indictment, between about 2013 and August 22, 2014, Wen Ping Chen conspired with Shao Chen, Kewang Lin and others to commit credit card fraud. As part of the conspiracy, the defendants would travel from New York to other states and use counterfeit credit cards to make purchases, primarily of gift cards. The merchandise acquired through the fraudulent purchases would then be resold on a black market. According to the indictment, Wen Ping Chen, Shao Chen and Lin drove from New York to Vermont in August 2014. Shao Chen and Lin spent two days in Vermont making purchases with counterfeit credit cards provided to them by Wen Ping Chen. On August 22, 2014, Shao Chen and Lin were arrested and have since been charged in federal court with access device fraud. Wen Ping Chen was also arrested but was then released. More than 80 counterfeit credit cards were recovered, as well as thousands of dollars worth of gift cards.

Shao Chen has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Charges against Lin are still pending.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

If convicted, Wen Ping Chen faces up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

This case was investigated by the South Burlington Police Department; the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Chen is represented by Paul Brenner. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.