A case of identity theft in Chino Hills led investigators to a mother-daughter duo in Garden Grove and they and a third woman were arrested Tuesday, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Kristina Anh Giusti, 44, and Terry Tan Mihn Nguyen, 30; both of Garden Grove, and Kelcie Anh Thy Giusti Tang, 23, of Santa Ana, were arrested on suspicion of operating an identity theft ring, authorities said. All three were arrested at Giusti's home at the 12100 block of College Avenue. Giusti is Tang's mother. It's unclear how Nguyen is related, if at all, to the other two women. Once inside, officers found more than 1,000 forged or altered credit cards in the suspects' names and other names, the personal information of more than 10 victims, equipment to make fake credit cards, a card encoder, $11,000 and several "how-to" documents outling how to commit fraud, the sheriff's department said. The three were arrested after a Chino Hills resident reported $800 in fraudulent credit card charges. The credit card had been used at several retail stores and restaurants in Garden Grove. The Sheriff's statement did not say when the purchases were made.
The Sheriff's statement said evidence collected showed Giusti using the fradulent credit card account at various places. Investigators searched Giusti's home on Tuesday, according to the sheriff's department. Authorities said that Tang used the credit cards given to her by her mother. While serving the search warrant, Nguyen was also at the home and found to be involved in the theft ring, authorities said. Attempts to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department late Wednesday night for further details were unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing.