Two former U.S. Postal Service employees appeared in federal court on September 25 on charges linked to an alleged scheme to steal at least 200 gift cards from the mail and use them for personal benefit. The case concerns Pian Pian Wong-Tam and William Wong, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. [S01]

The charges are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Prosecutors allege that Wong-Tam took cards from mail entrusted to her while working at the White Plains Processing and Distribution Center and shared them with Wong, who worked at a post office in Millwood. The alleged conduct ran from April 2025 through July 24, 2026.

Physical delivery is central to the case

The Postal Service Office of Inspector General began investigating after customers reported damaged mail with expected gift cards missing. Prosecutors say the cards had individual values ranging from $25 to $500 and were used at businesses in multiple states. The release does not state an aggregate loss or identify the card brands.

The alleged theft occurred while gift cards were moving through the mail. The announcement does not describe a compromise of an issuer's technology, an online gift-card platform or a merchant's payment system. That distinction places the reported risk in physical delivery and custody.

Both defendants face counts concerning conspiracy, unlawful possession of mail and access-device fraud. Wong-Tam also faces a charge of theft of mail by a postal employee. The release lists statutory maximum penalties but those are not sentences and do not predict the outcome of the case. [S01]

The September court appearance is the new development. The announcement does not establish a conviction, restitution order or final recovery amount for the allegedly stolen cards.