United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, and Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), Matthew M. Modafferi, announced today that PIAN PIAN WONG-TAM, a former United States Postal Service (“USPS”) Mail Processing Clerk in White Plains, New York, and WILLIAM WONG, a former USPS Mail Clerk in Millwood, New York, were presented today before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy on charges that they engaged in a scheme and conspiracy in which WONG-TAM removed mail entrusted to her by USPS, stole gift cards and other items out of that mail, and then, together with WONG, used those gift cards and other items for their own personal gain.
“The charges against the defendants reflect this Office’s and our law enforcement partners’ continued commitment to ensuring the integrity of the U.S. postal system,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “As alleged, Pian Pian Wong-Tam stole more than 200 gift cards out of mail entrusted to her for processing, and then, together with William Wong, used those gift cards for their own benefit, abusing their positions of trust and victimizing hundreds of people in the process. The complaint against Wong-Tam and Wong should send a clear message that stealing from the mail entrusted to USPS for delivery is a serious federal offense that will not be tolerated.”
“Misconduct by postal employees undermines the trust placed in the Postal Service and will not be tolerated,” said USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew M. Modafferi. “The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Postal Service and ensuring accountability. We appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation.”
According to the Complaint:
Until July 24, 2026, WONG-TAM was working as a Mail Processing Clerk at the USPS White Plains Processing & Distribution Center (“P&DC”) in White Plains, New York, while WONG was working as a Mail Clerk at a post office in Millwood, New York.
After receiving multiple customer complaints about mail that had been processed through the P&DC being delivered damaged, with expected gift cards missing, USPS-OIG’s investigation revealed that, from April 2025 to July 24, 2026, WONG-TAM took advantage of her position of trust at the P&DC to steal, among other things, gift cards from the mail she was responsible for processing. WONG-TAM then shared the gift cards she stole with WONG and, together, they used those gift cards at a variety of businesses in multiple states for their own personal benefit. All told, WONG-TAM and WONG’s scheme resulted in the theft of no less than 200 gift cards, ranging in value from $25 to $500 each.
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WONG-TAM, 59, of New York, New York, and WONG, 57, of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to steal and unlawfully possess mail, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of unlawful possession of mail, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and two counts of access device fraud, which each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. WONG-TAM is also charged with one count of theft of mail by a Postal Service officer or employee, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding investigative work of the Northeast Area Field Office of the USPS-OIG.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Deal is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Southern District of New York — U.S. Department of Justice press release.