A Michigan woman has been charged with fraud by federal prosecutors after allegedly renting designer clothing from multiple websites and then selling the clothing online.
Brandalene Horn opened hundreds of accounts with at least three companies that allowed customers to wear high-end clothing and apparel, rented more than 1,000 items and sold them online, according to U.S. prosecutors in New York. It is said to have sold for more than $750,000.
Horn, 42, was arrested Wednesday morning in Freeland, Michigan and charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property. She could face up to 20 years in prison on the most serious charges.
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Prosecutors said the companies tried to charge Horne for the items, but Horne either disputed them with the credit union or canceled the cards she used to buy the items. And when her account was closed or flagged for fraudulent activity, she opened a new one.
Prosecutors said she essentially duplicated rental product listings for online sales, often using identical photos and descriptions. In one example, Horne allegedly used the same photo from a rental site to list a $1,390 dress by K. Ngsley for $189.
The companies have not been identified, but a Google search for K.Ngsley dresses brings up a list provided by prosecutors on the Rent the Runway website.
Mr. Horne's attorney is scheduled to appear before a judge in Michigan today but could not be reached for comment.
The case is United States v. Horn, 24-mj-636, United States District Court, Southern District of New York.
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