NEWARK, N.J. — A woman from San Antonio, Texas, was arrested and charged with fraudulently selling over $18 million worth of counterfeit retail coupons across the United States, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Janet Bernal, also known by various aliases including “Rocky” and “Rocky G,” was charged with three counts of wire fraud. Bernal appeared in federal court in San Antonio on August 27, 2024, where she was released on a $15,000 secured bond.
According to court documents, Bernal ran a scheme from June 2020 through June 2024, producing and selling counterfeit coupons that were used in retail stores nationwide, including large pharmacies and grocery chains. Bernal operated a fee-based subscription group through a cloud-based messaging application, where members could access and download the fraudulent coupons after paying a monthly fee directly to Bernal’s mobile cash accounts.
The counterfeit coupons were widely used, resulting in an estimated loss of $18 million to 156 retail stores and the manufacturers whose products were fraudulently discounted.
If convicted, Bernal faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, along with a potential fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen of the Philadelphia Division, led the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
