North Attleboro Man Charged with Defrauding Computer Companies in Extensive Warranty-Replacement Scam

BOSTON—A North Attleboro man was charged today in federal court with defrauding multiple computer companies of their equipment in an extensive warranty-replacement scam.

MATTHEW J. KUC, 31, was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of the receipt, possession, and storage of stolen property in interstate commerce.

The indictment alleges that from June 1, 2005, through December 14, 2010, Kuc defrauded computer companies such as Dell, 3COM, Hewlett Packard, and Lenovo by using a variety of aliases to request and obtain costly warranty replacement components for various items of purportedly defective computer equipment. As alleged in the indictment, Kuc did not actually own the purportedly faulty equipment, having provided serial numbers for equipment owned by individuals whose equipment was not defective and who had had no dealings with him. Kuc used a variety of aliases and addresses in order to avoid detection while fraudulently requesting large numbers of warranty components. The indictment charges that on Dec. 14, 2010, dozens of boxes of fraudulently-obtained computer equipment were found at Kuc’s residence. Earlier filings in court related to this case alleged that Kuc sold the fraudulently-obtained equipment through an online “store” on eBay that had generated more than $1.7 million.

If convicted on these charges, Kuc faces up to 20 years of imprisonment on each wire fraud charge and 10 years of imprisonment on the stolen property charge. On each charge, he also faces a three-year term of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is highest.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Special Agent in Charge William P. Offord of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation - Boston Field Division; and North Attleboro Police Chief Michael Gould, Sr. made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Walters and Scott L. Garland of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes and Computer Crimes Units.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.