A California man has been charged for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of Lego sets from Target stores by swapping out valuable pieces for dried pasta before returning the boxes.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 71-year-old Richard Siegel of Long Beach is accused of a return fraud scheme targeting multiple Target locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The complaint alleges Siegel would purchase Lego sets, remove the valuable minifigures and other pieces, replace them with pasta or other items to match the weight, reseal the boxes, and then return them for a full refund.
The alleged thefts occurred between December 2023 and May 2024, with the total value of the stolen merchandise estimated at over $4,000. Siegel was arrested and made his initial court appearance on April 17, 2026. He faces one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Target's loss prevention team reportedly identified the pattern of returns and investigated, leading to the federal charges. The case highlights ongoing retail challenges with organized return fraud.
