OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY

PETER J. ORPUT COUNTY A TTORNEY

Press Release
Contact: Pete Orput FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 651-430-6115 DATE: April 5, 2018

WOODBURY MAN CHARGED WITH

IDENTITY THEFT OF OVER 300 PEOPLE
County Attorney Pete Orput announced that Hai Jay Phu Vu, 53, of Woodbury was charged
with stealing the identity of over 300 people in the metropolitan Twin Cities.

According to the criminal complaint filed in the case Vu is charged with Identity Theft and two
counts of Obtaining Unemployment Benefits through False Representation. The identity theft
occurred in Vu’s position with a nonprofit organization where he obtained personal
information on donors to that organization and purchased merchandise, applied for credit
cards and made unauthorized withdrawals from others’ bank accounts, among other activities.

Vu made his first appearance in court today. Bail was set at $300,000.

Orput stated, “We have found that the frequency of identity theft is greatly increasing. It is
important for us all to guard our personal information zealously. The potential fallout in failing
to do so can be economically disastrous for the victims.”

####

(criminal complaint follows)

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Washington 10th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. CR-2018-437
Court File No. 82-CR-18-1454

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Warrant
vs.
HAI JAY PHU VU    DOB: 08/11/1964
10978 Ashley Lane
Woodbury, MN 55129
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Identity Theft-Eight or More Direct Victims/Combined Loss Greater Than $35,000 or Child
Porn Related
Minnesota Statute: 609.527.3(5), with reference to:  609.527.3(5)
Maximum Sentence: 20 years and $100,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 12/19/2017
Control #(ICR#): 02017778
Charge Description: Transfer, possess, or use an identity that is not defendant's own, to wit:
approximately 300 victims with the intent to commit, aid, or abet any unlawful activity, to wit: Possess and
transact upon identities.
COUNT II
Charge: Unemployment Benefits-False Representation-Concealment of fact-Penalty in 609.52
Minnesota Statute: 268.182.1, with reference to:  609.52.3(2)
Maximum Sentence: 10 years and $20,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 03/20/2017 to 06/05/2017
Control #(ICR#): 02017778
Charge Description: did obtain, or attempt to obtain, by means of an intentional false statement or
representation by intentional concealment of a material fact, or by impersonation or other fraudulent
means, benefits that said defendant is not entitled or benefits greater than said defendant is entitled in an
amount greater that $2,500
COUNT III

1
Charge: Unemployment Benefits-False Representation-Concealment of fact-Penalty in 609.52
Minnesota Statute: 268.182.1, with reference to:  609.52.3(2)
Maximum Sentence: 10 years and $20,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 06/12/2017 to 09/11/2017
Control #(ICR#): 02017778
Charge Description: did obtain, or attempt to obtain, by means of an intentional false statement or
representation by intentional concealment of a material fact, or by impersonation or other fraudulent
means, benefits that said defendant is not entitled or benefits greater than said defendant is entitled in an
amount greater that $2,500

2
 STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE
 
The Complainant states that the following facts establish probable cause:
 
 Your Complainant, Special Agent Brandon Johnson, is a licensed Minnesota peace officer with the Bureau
of Criminal Apprehension (“BCA”) investigating unemployment insurance crimes on behalf of the
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (“DEED”). Complainant offers the
following statement to establish probable cause:

In September of 2017, DEED discovered suspicious circumstances surrounding the filings of Hai Jay Phu
Vu, D.O.B. 8/11/1964, a Washington County resident, hereinafter Defendant, for unemployment insurance.
Upon making these discoveries DEED referred the case to the BCA.

On February 22, 2017, Defendant’s employment was severed at the House of Charity due to disciplinary
issues. As part of Defendant’s termination he received two months’ salary and benefits. Defendant also
applied for unemployment benefits. When applying for unemployment benefits Defendant falsely checked
the box indicating “layoff.” Defendant also responded “no” to the question of whether he received
“severance or any other separation payments.” Had these material misrepresentations not been made
Defendant would have been disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits. Furthermore, Defendant
failed to disclose new employment starting in June of 2017 resulting in continuing unemployment benefits
being paid. Defendant was terminated from his June employment after one month when the company
realized he was not truthful on his application. Between the dates of March 28, 2017 and September 19,
2017 Defendant requested and received 22 payments through unemployment insurance from DEED. The
total amount of the payments is $11,439.00. Defendant is entitled to $0.00 of the claimed benefits.

  

Further transactions drew the attention of DEED and Complainant. In March of 2017, DEED flagged
Defendant’s account as overpaid due to previous claims made by Defendant causing him to have an
outstanding account owing of $885.44. On March 8, 2017, DEED recorded a payment of $885.44 to
Defendant’s account, satisfying his overpayment. This payment came from the Wells Fargo account of B.L.
The payment was not authorized by B.L. and was reversed by the bank on April 28, 2017. Defendant’s UI
account was held at overpaid the same day.

On April 28, 2017, DEED recorded another payment of $885.44 to Defendant’s UI account, again
attempting to satisfy his overpayment. This payment came from the Wells Fargo account of J.B. The
payment was not authorized by J.B. and was reversed by Wells Fargo on June 19, 2017. Defendant’s UI
account was again held at overpaid the same day.

  

On June 23, DEED recorded another payment of $885.44 to Defendant’s UI account, attempting to satisfy
his overpayment. The payment came from the US Bank account of A.B. The payment was not authorized
by A.B. and was reversed by US Bank on August 18, 2017. Defendant’s UI account was held at overpaid
3
the same day.

On August 18, 2017, DEED recorded another payment of $885.44 to Defendant’s UI account, satisfying
his overpayment. The payment came from the US Bank account of J.A. The payment was not authorized by
J.A. and was reversed by the bank on August 24, 2017. Defendant’s UI account was held at overpaid the
same day.

On August 25, 2017, DEED recorded another payment of $885.44 to Defendant’s UI account, satisfying
his overpayment. The payment came from the US Bank account of H.E. The payment was not authorized
by H.E. and was reversed by US Bank on September 21, 2017. Defendant’s UI account was held at
overpaid the same day. DEED placed a hold on Defendant’s account after this reversal.

Complainant obtained and reviewed the banking records of the five victims B.L, J.B., A.B., J.A., and H.E.,
used in the DEED transactions and found more unauthorized debits on the accounts. Specifically: The
Wells Fargo account of J.B. showed four payments to Progressive Insurance and one payment to Verizon
between January and April 2017, each payment was to Defendant’s name or a family member. The Wells
Fargo account of B.L. showed a payment made to Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in March 2017. Complainant
knows Defendant has a daughter who attended high school at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.

Complainant discovered each of the five victims relating to the DEED transactions were donors to the
House of Charity. House of Charity is a homeless shelter. Defendant was employed from July of 2014 to
February of 2017. Defendant was hired as an accountant for House of Charity allowing him access to
donor banking information.

On December 19, 2017 Complainant executed a search warrant at Defendant’s residence and found
approximately 300 victim identities’ in the items seized. Including credit reports, rental applications, copies
of checks, original checks, electronic banking information, credit cards, service and utility bills, bank
statements, a birth certificate, a pharmacy prescription, and a notary stamp.

Another victim B.T.L. had four credit card accounts and a DirecTV bill in his name. A rental application
containing the personal information of B.T.L. was also found during the search along with check stubs for
Defendant from an apartment rental company where B.T.L., had applied for an apartment.

Complainant initiated further investigation revealing Defendant had been using the banking information—
bank routing and account numbers—from multiple other victims to pay his expenses, credit card bills, and
private school tuition. Through a subpoena Complainant identified several payments made through Smart
Tuition, LLC to Shattuck-St. Mary’s for the benefit of Defendant’s daughter’s school tuition. Complainant
cross-referenced the account numbers used with those of donors from the House of Charity finding
matches to multiple donors to the House of Charity including: B.L., A.V., J.T., L.S., M.L., and D.L. Defendant
4
was not authorized to transact on these accounts.

Defendant was previously convicted of Theft under Minn. Stat. § 609.52. subd. 2(1) in Washington County
on October 23, 2014. Defendant remains on probation in the matter through October 23, 2019.

5
 SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Brandon Johnson Electronically Signed:

1430 Maryland Avenue E 04/04/2018 01:29 PM
St. Paul, MN 55106 Ramsey County,  bjohnson6
 

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Lacy Electronically Signed:

PO Box 6 04/04/2018 01:19 PM
15015 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 430-6115

6
 FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 14949 62nd Street N PO Box 3802, Stillwater, MN 55082-3802 to answer this
complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

X WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

X Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  Body Only

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: April 4, 2018.

Judicial Officer John R. McBride Electronically Signed: 04/04/2018 01:36 PM

District Court Judge

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Warrant
vs. upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Hai Jay Phu Vu
Defendant

7
 DEFENDANT FACT SHEET

Name: Hai Jay Phu Vu
DOB: 08/11/1964
Address: 10978 Ashley Lane
Woodbury, MN 55129

Alias Names/DOB:
SID:  
Height:
Weight:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race: Asian
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: No
Driver's License #:  
Alcohol Concentration:

8
 STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID
Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case
Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 12/19/2017 609.527.3(5) Felony U1730 N MNBCA0000 02017778

Identity Theft-Eight or More Direct
Victims/Combined Loss Greater Than
$35,000 or Child Porn Related
  Penalty 12/19/2017 609.527.3(5) Felony U1730 N MNBCA0000 02017778
Identity Theft-Eight or More Direct
Victims/Combined Loss Greater Than
$35,000 or Child Porn Related

2 Charge 3/20/2017 268.182.1 Felony U154G N MNBCA0000 02017778

Unemployment Benefits-False
Representation-Concealment of
fact-Penalty in 609.52
  Penalty 3/20/2017 609.52.3(2) Felony U154G N MNBCA0000 02017778
Theft-Value over $5,000 or Trade
Secret, Explosive, Controlled
Substance I or II

3 Charge 6/12/2017 268.182.1 Felony U154G N MNBCA0000 02017778

Unemployment Benefits-False
Representation-Concealment of
fact-Penalty in 609.52
  Penalty 6/12/2017 609.52.3(2) Felony U154G N MNBCA0000 02017778
Theft-Value over $5,000 or Trade
Secret, Explosive, Controlled
Substance I or II