Scam costs Maine home improvement stores more than $50,000
A Madison man admitted to switching the UPC codes on items in order to spend less
Updated: 12:01 PM EDT Sep 11, 2023
A Maine man has admitted to scamming Home Depot and Lowe’s stores out of more than $51,000.Aaron Hoster, 51 of Madison, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District in Bangor to wire fraud and attempted wire fraud.According to court records, between June 2021 and April 2023, Hoster removed UPC labels from low-cost items and put them on higher-priced items which he then purchased. Prosecutors say Hoster defrauded multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Maine, cheating the retailers out of more than $51,000. In one instance, Hoster purchased a $439 cordless finish nailer kit, paying just $19.98 In another example, he bought a powered drain cleaner valued at $429 for just $11.36.Hoster faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced at a later date.
A Maine man has admitted to scamming Home Depot and Lowe’s stores out of more than $51,000.
Aaron Hoster, 51 of Madison, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District in Bangor to wire fraud and attempted wire fraud.
According to court records, between June 2021 and April 2023, Hoster removed UPC labels from low-cost items and put them on higher-priced items which he then purchased. Prosecutors say Hoster defrauded multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Maine, cheating the retailers out of more than $51,000. In one instance, Hoster purchased a $439 cordless finish nailer kit, paying just $19.98 In another example, he bought a powered drain cleaner valued at $429 for just $11.36.
Hoster faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced at a later date.
