In a significant development, Florida deputies have apprehended two individuals suspected of being involved in a widespread gift card scam, which is believed to be part of a larger theft operation stretching across the state and the country.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office reported that Caoyuan Liu and Lingham Chen were arrested after being caught tampering with gift card displays at a local grocery store. This arrest has unveiled their alleged connections to a major theft ring operating not only in Florida but also across the United States.
Officials disclosed that the suspected scam involves substituting new gift cards with those stolen from various other locations. Liu and Chen are said to scratch off the protective seals on the cards to access the numbers. After recording these details, they reseal the cards and place them back among new cards at different stores. This deceptive approach leaves unsuspecting customers with tampered cards that reveal a zero balance upon activation.
Liu, who is undocumented, and Chen, who is on a student visa in the United States, are currently detained in the Martin County Jail. Immigration detainers have been filed against both suspects due to their immigration statuses. They have been allegedly linked to illegal activities in multiple regions, including Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee Counties, as well as cities like Orlando, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
The authorities emphasize the importance for consumers to carefully inspect gift cards for signs of tampering, such as scratched off pin numbers or resealed packaging. Shoppers are advised to report any suspicious cards to store clerks to prevent falling victim to this scam. This proactive measure is crucial in stopping the spread of the scam and protecting consumers’ financial interests.
The arrest of Liu and Chen highlights the ongoing effort by law enforcement to combat organized retail crime. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant when purchasing gift cards to avoid becoming victims of tampered products. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the theft ring’s operation and its potential impact nationwide.
Source: Fox13news
