ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A North Carolina man has admitted to running a COVID-era cleaning supply scam that fraudulent billed companies more than $8 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District. Nicholas Scarantino, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was responsible for $861,268.66 of those fraudulent charges affecting 873 victims, according to prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney's Office said between January of 2019 and January of 2022, Scarantino and several other defendants billed 5,458 businesses for cleaner/degreaser products under the names of sham companies. Prosecutors said the group targeted larger companies with these small bills, later taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the assumption that seemingly legitimate orders for cleaning supplies would not be questioned. Sample invoice per federal court papers Page 1 of fraudulent invoice Page 2 The fraudulent invoices were mailed from Rochester under the names North Atlantic Supply and Top Tier Chemicals. Hi-Tech Industrial and Nationwide Chemical notices were sent from Florida. The investigation found that page two of the invoice contained language stating there was no obligation to pay, giving the defendants the opportunity to claim they were just soliciting future business. They were sent to companies across the country including several in Avon, Brockport, Henrietta, Rochester, Andover, Lakewood, Niagara Falls, and Tonawanda. After receiving payment, prosecutors said the defendants instead delivered inexpensive products to the companies. Total payments received were $8,010,543.50 with most companies paying out a few hundred dollars each. John Engler of Florida, Alec Dierna, originally from Rochester, but now living in Florida, were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud after a federal grand jury indictment. In March, three others were charged including Heather Dierna of Rochester.