Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Las Vegas resident, Serena Reamy Hedden, has admitted to manufacturing and distributing counterfeit store coupons with inflated values. According to federal authorities, Hedden produced nearly 3.5 million fake coupons at her home between August 2017 and September 2019.
Court documents state that the counterfeit coupons often offered values much higher than legitimate ones, allowing users to obtain merchandise from retail stores for free or at steep discounts. Hedden sold these fake coupons online and through social media platforms to co-conspirators and distributed them via the United States Postal Service. She also sold products she obtained using the fraudulent coupons from her garage.
On September 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hedden’s residence. Agents discovered electronic equipment used for producing the counterfeit coupons, large amounts of specialized paper and printers, as well as thousands of unused packing boxes and binders with spreadsheet records. Analysis revealed that the operation caused losses of over $20 million for retailers.
“This case demonstrates the serious impact of large-scale counterfeit coupon schemes on retailers and consumers alike,” said Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “Serena Hedden’s actions not only defrauded businesses out of millions of dollars, but also undermined the integrity of the marketplace. We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in such fraudulent activity.”
Hedden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2026; a federal judge will determine her sentence based on statutory guidelines.
The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Wang for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). HSI led the investigation, while Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.
