In a major crackdown on a nationwide gift card scam ring, two women have been arrested and charged with stealing nearly 5,000 gift cards, according to Braintree police in Massachusetts.
The suspects, identified as YanYan Liu and Na Dong, both residents of Flushing, New York, were taken into custody on charges of shoplifting and receiving stolen property after being caught removing gift cards from a CVS display rack on Grove Street.
Suspicious Activity Tip
The alarm was raised on Monday when police received a tip about the suspicious activity at the CVS store. Officers swiftly located the suspect vehicle, discovering four bags containing a staggering 4,617 gift cards.
The seized cards included popular brands such as Apple, Nike, Sephora, and Visa.
Authorities believe that the gift card scam extends beyond this isolated incident, describing it as a criminal operation occurring across the country.
The modus operandi involves criminals removing thousands of gift cards from store displays meticulously logging card numbers, barcodes, and corresponding PINs. Subsequently, the scammers repack the cards and secretly return them to the shelves for unsuspecting customers to purchase.
Once an unsuspecting customer selects a compromised gift card and loads funds onto it at the register, the criminals reportedly run the card numbers and PINs through a database. The aim is to spend the funds online before the legitimate gift recipient has the chance to utilize the card.
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Braintree Police Bust Nationwide Gift Card Scam
The arrested individuals, YanYan Liu and Na Dong are currently facing charges related to the theft and illegal possession of the extensive cache of gift cards.
However, the police did not disclose when the women would appear in court, leaving details of their legal proceedings pending.
This incident sheds light on the sophisticated tactics employed by criminals in exploiting gift cards, a common form of currency for transactions and gifting.
As law enforcement continues to investigate and gather more information, it serves as a stark reminder for consumers to exercise caution when purchasing gift cards and to be aware of potential scams that compromise their financial security. The story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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