Four Rockland County brothers have pleaded not guilty to federal charges that that they defrauded Amazon out of $19 million.
Federal investigators accuse the Abraham brothers, who live in Monsey, of launching a scheme called overshipping back in 2017, in which they shipped products online retailers either didn't purchase or for prices and quantities not agreed on.
In one instance, a purchase order for one case of 12 disinfectant sprays valued at $94.03 per pack was replaced with 7,000 toothbrushes for $94.03 each - totaling $658,210.
In another, one unit of designer perfume at a price of $289.78 was manipulated to 927 units of a plastic beard trimming tool for $289.78 each - with a total invoice of $268,626.
To avoid detection, authorities allege the brothers talked in an encrypted group texting chain on WhatsApp saying things like "Did anyone try to overship and make a million profit in a week?"
The men, ages 24 to 32, are all facing multiple felony charges, including money laundering and wire fraud. The charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The attorney for Yoel Abraham told News 12 in a statement that his client is innocent. He says they deny the allegations and are looking forward to proving his innocence.