A shocking case of fraud has unfolded in the San Gabriel Valley, involving a woman who exploited the U.S. Postal Service to the tune of over $150 million. Lijuan "Angela" Chen, aged 51, pleaded guilty to serious charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and using counterfeit postage. This case highlights not only the severity of the crime but also the lengths to which individuals will go to cheat the system.
On the surface, Chen appeared to be running a legitimate package shipping company based in the City of Industry. However, behind the scenes, she and her co-defendant, Chuanhua "Hugh" Hu, were allegedly orchestrating a massive scheme that involved mailing tens of millions of parcels with counterfeit postage labels from January 2020 through May 2023. This fraudulent operation has not only caused significant losses to the postal service but has also raised concerns about security and integrity in shipping practices.
The repercussions of this case extend beyond just monetary losses. Chen has been in federal custody since her arrest in May 2023, and her co-defendant is currently evading authorities in China. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges that law enforcement faces in combating fraud and protecting the integrity of postal services. As the investigation continues, the broader implications of this case are yet to unfold.
| Name | Age | Charges | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lijuan “Angela” Chen | 51 | Conspiracy to defraud the U.S., Using counterfeit postage | In federal custody |
| Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu | 51 | Conspiracy to defraud the U.S., Passing counterfeit obligations, Forging postage stamps | Fugitive in China |
A San Gabriel Valley woman, Lijuan “Angela” Chen, has pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States Postal Service out of over $150 million by using counterfeit postage on tens of millions of packages. Chen, 51, admitted to one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of using counterfeit postage.
Chen, who has been in federal custody since her arrest in May 2023, was involved in a scheme alongside her co-defendant, Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu. Hu is currently a fugitive believed to be hiding in China and faces multiple charges related to the case.
Authorities claim that from January 2020 to May 2023, Chen and Hu mailed over 34 million parcels using counterfeit postage labels. Their operations were based in the City of Industry, where
