A Queens-based logistics company along with its Los Angeles counterpart and their owner are the subjects of a temporary restraining order obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, as they stand accused of using counterfeit postage to ship packages, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. This development follows a civil complaint filed on May 15, alleging that the companies have been committing and conspiring to commit mail fraud by using these fake USPS postage labels on parcels from China.
The complaint names Defendants YDH Express, Inc., YDH Int’l Inc., and owner Yizhao Hou, also known as Harvey Hou. They are accused of costing the USPS substantial revenue in this counterfeit postage scheme. A federal court in Brooklyn awarded an immediate bar on these defendants from using USPS services to mail parcels, while further Court decisions are pending. The action is backed by the Anti-Fraud Injunction Act, aimed to recover financial losses USPS sustained.
"The Postal Service provides essential services to Americans, and we will not tolerate attempts by unscrupulous overseas businesses using fake postage to unlawfully deprive USPS of revenue it is entitled to," United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. commented. In a similar vein, Edward Gallashaw, Acting Inspector in Charge of the USPIS, highlighted the dedication to "identifying individuals like Yizhou Hou who allegedly facilitate and perpetuate the use of fraudulent or counterfeit postage," as per the U.S. Department of Justice.
The alleged fraud involves thousands of parcels with counterfeit USPS labels, sourced in bulk from sellers in China. The complaint details the defendants' activities as mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and violations of the False Claims Act (FCA). Under this act, the government can seek treble damages and penalties against those defrauding the United States. As per the May 16, 2025 temporary restraining order (TRO), the Court found that there is "probable cause to believe that defendants are still engaged in the ongoing commission of mail fraud, and are still engaged in the ongoing conspiracy to commit mail fraud," reported the U.S. Department of Justice.
In response to these events, the public can report mail theft, identity theft, fraud, or related crimes via the Postal Inspection Service’s toll-free number or online. This case is currently being managed by the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office, with assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Cooper and Logan J. Gowdicott at the helm, assisted by Paralegal Specialist Loan Nguyen.
