HONOLULU, HAWAII — Phoebe Trinh, also known as Phuong Trinh Ngoc Vo, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on 12 counts, including nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. The charges stem from fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii, Trinh fraudulently obtained approximately $36,265 by submitting false claims for benefits that she was not entitled to. The PUA program, which was created under the 2020 CARES Act to assist workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to provide emergency unemployment benefits to individuals who did not qualify for traditional state benefits.
The indictment alleges that Trinh submitted a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim through the Hawaii Department of Industrial Relations (DLIR), falsely certifying that she was unemployed and not receiving income. Despite knowing these statements were false, she continued to claim and receive benefits.
Further charges relate to the filing of a PUA claim using another person’s identity, including their name and Social Security number, without the individual’s consent. Trinh is accused of continuing to falsely certify the other person’s eligibility for benefits, and she directed the Hawaii DLIR to deposit the payments intended for that individual into her own bank account.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the seriousness of the charges, with Trinh facing significant penalties if convicted. The case highlights ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to combat fraud within pandemic relief programs.
Wire Fraud and Identity Theft Charges
Trinh is now facing multiple charges related to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, which carry severe consequences
