A 29-year-old Chicago man has been charged with mail fraud and theft after a months-long investigation into fraudulent returns to Nordstrom, officials said.
After being contacted by Nordstrom in March, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office started looking into luxury fragrances that were returned via mail. But instead of containing the original product, modeling clay was returned in “carefully resealed” boxes, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.
That kicked off what investigators dubbed, “Operation Eau de Fraud.” An extensive review of records narrowed down the alleged culprit to be Philip Carter, of Portage Park.
Carter, under his own name, is a content creator on YouTube. Since starting his channel two years ago, he’s uploaded over 100 videos and gained over 3,000 subscribers.
His content is largely based on in-depth reviews of fragrances. In one video, he says he has over 1,000 fragrances.
Investigators discovered this YouTube channel, and learned how he may have been stocking his collection, according to the release. Carter, officials said, would order thousands of dollars worth of luxury colognes and fragrances online. Once the items were shipped, he would contact the retailer, like Nordstrom, and request a return.
But, as was the case in Nordstrom’s experience, the original bottles would be removed from boxes and replaced with modeling clay, or used bottles. Investigators say Carter then resealed the packages and would receive a refund.
The investigation came to a head Wednesday morning, court records show. The office’s Organized Retail Crime unit searched Carter’s Portage Park apartment and took him into custody, according to the release. It was his 29th birthday.
Officers recovered 714 fragrances, which are estimated to retail for $250,000, the release said. Ready-to-ship resealed boxes, packages containing modeling clay were found, in addition to a heat gun, glue and packaging materials.
The next day, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office charged Carter with three counts of mail fraud and three misdemeanor counts of theft by deception.
Court records indicate that Carter has since been granted pretrial release. Conditions of his release include staying away from Nordstrom and Ulta Beauty locations.
Carter is scheduled to appear in court on July 29.