NY Men Sentenced in Raleigh for Dark Web Retail Fraud Targeting Walmart, Gas Stations, Others

RALEIGH, NC – Two men from New York, who had been living in Raleigh, have been sentenced for a large-scale identity theft and retail fraud scheme that targeted major retailers. Kavon Kerrick Robinson, 25, received a 42-month prison sentence, while Christopher Anthony Hilaire, 27, was sentenced to 16 months for their roles in the conspiracy. Both men were ordered to pay restitution totaling $32,736.74. In July 2024, Robinson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and Hilaire to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Robinson and Hilaire lived together in Raleigh from April to November 2022, during which Robinson purchased stolen credit card data on the dark web using cryptocurrency. Robinson, Hilaire, and others would use that stolen information to make online purchases from various major retailers (including Lowe’s Home Improvement, Home Depot, Michaels, and Walmart), restaurants, and gas stations.  

For items purchased from major retailers, Robinson would focus on specific items he knew he could resell.  For example, Robinson purchased a large number of Google Nest thermostats from Lowe’s Home Improvement because he had a buyer for those items.  Sometimes, Robinson would travel to New York to sell the items.  In other instances, he would return the items for a cash refund.  In addition to assisting Robinson and obtaining goods for his use, Hilaire would instruct others on executing similar schemes.

“Retail return frauds, including double-dipping schemes like this one, cost retailers billions every year,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. He emphasized that these crimes increase consumer costs and harm those whose credit information is stolen to execute the schemes. “We are proud to partner with the NC Retail Merchants Association to raise awareness of these scams and bring them to a stop.”

“Schemes such as retail return fraud are just one example of organized retail crime in North Carolina. North Carolina’s retailers are appreciative of U.S. Attorney Easley’s commitment to fighting organized retail crime in Eastern North Carolina and his willingness to take an aggressive stance against well-organized professional theft networks that prey on North Carolina businesses,” said Andy Ellen, president and general counsel of the NC Retail Merchants Association. “Organized retail crime is not only a crime against property, but a crime against people, often tied to other serious crimes such as opioids, identity theft, and human trafficking. Offenders must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of North Carolina’s law for the good of the economy and the safety of our communities.”

The FBI investigated the case, and U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III handed down the sentences, underscoring the state’s strong stance against organized retail crime.