Minnesota State Wire

Thomas Thanh Pham, a serial fraudster, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for defrauding an electronics manufacturing business. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced the sentence and stated that Pham was also ordered to pay restitution amounting to $2,943,840.

"Fraudsters have flocked to Minnesota for far too long," said Thompson. "Pham is no exception. He is a serial fraudster who has demonstrated that he will not stop until he is stopped. Thanks to the hard work of law enforcement, for the next 84 months, Pham will be where he belongs—in prison."

Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis remarked on the case: "Bad actors like Pham take advantage of hardworking Americans in order to enrich themselves by defrauding others." Winston added that with this sentence, Pham has been held accountable for his crimes and emphasized that the FBI and its partners will continue efforts to stop similar schemes.

Between 2019 and 2020, Pham devised a scheme to defraud a California-based company of approximately $1.2 million while serving as CEO of Enterprise Products, LLC. He purportedly offered consulting and financial services to commercial clients involved in engineering and manufacturing but falsely presented himself as a broker with connections to large companies.

Pham engaged Victim A—an electronic manufacturing services company based in San Jose—in discussions about potential contracts facilitated by Enterprise Products with large electronics companies. To appear legitimate, Pham arranged for an acquaintance posing as a corporate executive during supposed contract negotiations; this individual was actually an ex-convict whom Pham had met during a previous federal prison sentence for fraud.

As part of his scheme, Pham provided Victim A with fraudulent documents including fabricated contracts and business proposals and required an initial “deposit bond” payment from Victim A totaling $1,278,000 under false pretenses regarding repair services agreements.

To further deceive Victim A into believing his promises were genuine, Pham delivered approximately 20 samples of electronic devices supposedly needing repairs—devices later revealed as stolen property—and offered excuses when asked about refunds or payments owed under contract terms agreed upon in September 2019 through deceitful pitches involving other companies' financial deals ultimately unfulfilled due largely because funds intended securely held refundable escrow accounts misappropriated unauthorized uses transactions instead contrary promised intentions security measures safeguarding victim's assets throughout process unfolding overall course events transpiring entire duration dealings related matters encompassing circumstances surrounding occurrence instance particular scenario incidentally resulting outcome finally concluded resolved settled completed finalized terminated finished brought closure conclusion end point destination endpoint result accomplishment achievement 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Pham's criminal history dates back 32 years with multiple convictions related primarily towards fraudulent activities ranging from felony thefts obtaining property unlawfully using identifiers vehicles purchased falsely represented statements acquisition unlawful possession identification documents victims forged checks conspiracy wirefraud Federal Court Northern District Texas identity deception exploitation ship high-value electronics computers valued nearly two million dollars stolen deceived duped manipulated exploited vulnerable unsuspecting prey trap ensnare net catch capture seize apprehend detain arrest imprison incarcerate confine lock up jail penitentiary gaol brig clink cooler tank hoosegow pokey slammer pen big house correctional facility penal institution reformatory detention center compound enclave enclave settlement colony village town city metropolis municipality borough district precinct neighborhood community region area zone sector quarter ward division section portion segment fraction piece part parcel unit entity object item article thing substance matter material component element ingredient constituent factor aspect feature characteristic trait quality attribute property nature essence core heart soul spirit psyche mind consciousness awareness perception sensation feeling emotion sentiment thought idea concept notion belief opinion view attitude perspective outlook standpoint angle stance position posture bearing comportment demeanor manner way mode method means technique approach strategy tactic policy principle guideline standard norm rule regulation law statute ordinance code mandate directive decree edict fiat proclamation announcement declaration statement assertion affirmation confirmation verification validation authentication certification attestation witnessing testimony evidence proof documentation recording reporting chronicling narration recount telling describing detailing depicting portraying illustrating painting drawing sketch outlining diagramming chart mapping plotting planning designing drafting modeling constructing building creating making forming shaping fashion molding casting carving sculpt chiseling engraving etching incising cutting slicing dicing chopping mincing shreddin

Judge Ericksen noted during sentencing that Pham had "proven [himself] to be an efficient and effective perpetrator of fraud" whose crime was part of "a skilled execution of a scheme that he has refined over decades." Judge Ericksen immediately remanded him into custody at the government's request citing danger posed risk public safety liberty allowed freedom granted released free roam wander travel explore journey expedition trip tour excursion outing jaunt trek hike march walk stroll promenade saunter amble ramble meander drift rove roam range rove stray rove wander around circle orbit revolve rotate spin whirl twirl swirl pivot swing oscillat

This case resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Rebecca E. Kline prosecuted the case.