Their lives weren't 'ruined', just like nobody's life is 'ruined' when someone (over multiple trips) shoplifts a few thousand (or tens of thousands of) dollars worth of goods from a large store chain.
But someone, somewhere along the way did lose some amount of money.
The fact that the sentence was only 18 months reflects that, somewhat.
But someone, somewhere along the way did lose some amount of money.
The fact that the sentence was only 18 months reflects that, somewhat.