Texas Woman Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Fraudulently Selling Thousands of Counterfeit Coupons Causing Losses to Retailers Across the United States in Excess of $17 Million
NEWARK, N.J. / Thursday, September 10, 2026 – A San Antonio, Texas woman received a 15-month prison sentence for her role in a conspiracy to distribute counterfeit coupons that were used at retail stores across the United States to procure more than $17 million in unauthorized discounts, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Janet Bernal, 49, of San Antonio, Texas, previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge William Martini in Newark federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Martini imposed the sentence on September 9, 2026.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From June 2020 through August 2024, Bernal orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to produce and sell counterfeit coupons for use by purchasers at retail stores throughout the United States, including large pharmacies and grocery stores. In furtherance of her scheme, Bernal offered counterfeit coupons through a monthly fee-based subscription group that was available on a commonly-used Internet cloud-based messaging application. Members subscribed to the group, paid the monthly fee, and then had unlimited access to numerous types of counterfeit coupons that Bernal posted for download.
Members paid the monthly fee via mobile cash accounts that Bernal directly controlled. Over the span of the scheme, members downloaded thousands of counterfeit coupons and redeemed them at retail stores throughout New Jersey and elsewhere in the United States. In total, the loss to the retail stores and to the manufacturers whose products were purchased with the counterfeit coupons was in excess of $17 million.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martini also sentenced Bernal to two years of supervised release, ordered her to forfeit $67,290.68, and ordered her to pay $17,865,614.70 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman, Deputy Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit.
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Defense counsel: Mary E. Warner, Hampton, New Jersey
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey
