Three people in Virginia are accused of turning collectible LEGO minifigures into a multi-state retail theft operation that police say generated more than $36,000 through an eBay storefront.
Arlington County investigators said the suspects targeted high-value LEGO sets, removed valuable components, resealed the boxes, returned the sets for refunds, and resold the missing pieces online, according to FOX 5 DC.
The case involved sets tied to fandoms including Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Legend of Zelda, according to ARLnow.
Police said the investigation linked the group to at least 29 incidents across the D.C. region. The charges remain allegations, and the three defendants still have to move through court.
The Scheme Started With Boxes That Looked New
The alleged setup depended on making opened LEGO boxes look untouched.
In one January 2025 incident, two suspects entered the Target store in Ballston with two sealed LEGO sets worth a combined $640, ARLnow reported, citing a criminal complaint. After the return, investigators said the boxes were inspected and found to have been opened, stripped of high-value components, and resealed to appear new.
Police said a similar return happened April 27 at the Target in Pentagon City, where a LEGO set was returned for a $160 refund. That set also allegedly had minifigures removed before it was resealed.
The Missing Pieces Were The Real Money
Collectible LEGO minifigures can become the most desirable part of a set, especially when they are tied to major entertainment brands or limited releases. Police said the suspects allegedly removed those pieces and sold them through an eBay storefront that brought in more than $36,000 over 12 months.
That detail turns the case from a simple return scam into a resale operation. The store took back a box that looked complete, while the most valuable pieces moved into an online marketplace.
Loss Prevention Connected The Pattern
The April 27 incident was reported to Arlington County police on May 19.
During that response, loss prevention staff alerted officers that the return might be connected to similar incidents in the region. Arlington County police then worked with other jurisdictions in Virginia and Maryland, according to ARLnow.
FOX 5 DC reported that investigators said the operation targeted stores including Target, with valuable components removed before the boxes were returned for refunds.
Three Suspects Face Racketeering And Larceny Charges
Northern Virginia Magazine reported that Alvaro Adrian Vargas Serrano, 27, of Falls Church, was charged with two counts of larceny under false pretenses, racketeering, and conspiracy to commit larceny.
Maria Asuncion Serrano Herbas, 49, of Falls Church, was charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit larceny. Mauro Vargas Serrano, 25, of Falls Church, was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit larceny, and larceny under false pretenses.
All three were arrested June 12, according to the magazine. The charges are allegations, and the case still has to move through court.
The Online Marketplace Became Part Of The Trail
ARLnow reported that eBay cooperated with Arlington County police during the investigation.
An eBay spokesperson told the outlet the company provided information that supported the investigation and resulting charges. The company also said it works with retailers and law enforcement to identify and prevent criminal activity on the platform.
The cooperation is important in organized retail theft cases because the resale platform may show volume, timing, seller activity, and repeated listings. For stores, the damage does not end with the first refund. A returned box that looks sealed can go back into inventory, creating a second victim if another customer buys a set that has already been stripped of key pieces.
Buyers Should Check The Set Before The Return Window Closes
Anyone buying a sealed collectible LEGO set from a marketplace seller should inspect it as soon as it arrives, especially if the value is tied to minifigures or limited pieces. The box, seal condition, numbered bags, minifigure bags, and instruction booklet should be checked before the return or dispute window closes.
LEGO’s customer-service site can help identify missing pieces by set name or number, and eBay’s Money Back Guarantee says buyers can request help when an item does not match the listing description. For expensive sets, buyers should keep photos of the sealed box, shipping label, opened contents, and missing parts before filing a claim through the platform.