Two suspects involved in a sophisticated gift card scam that has defrauded victims across the country of hundreds of thousands of dollars were arrested at a local grocery store in Florida.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was alerted by a vigilant store employee who noticed the suspects tampering with a gift card display. Deputies responded to the scene and questioned the individuals, later identified as members of a nationwide theft ring operating in multiple states.
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The suspects, Caoyuan Liu and Lingham Chen, have been in Florida since April and are linked to cases in Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and North Port counties. Investigators believe their scam also targeted stores in Orlando, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
The scam involves stealing gift cards from one location, scratching off the account seals to record the numbers, and then resealing the packages before placing them back among new cards at another location. Unsuspecting customers purchase these tampered cards, only to find the account balance depleted upon activation.
MCSO detectives are urging consumers to carefully inspect gift cards before purchase. Signs of tampering include scratched-off account numbers, resealed packaging, or minor tears. Customers should report any suspicious cards to store staff and avoid purchasing them.
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Liu, who is an illegal migrant, and Chen, a student visa holder, are both being held at the Martin County Jail. Immigration detainers have been placed on them, further complicating their legal troubles.
Investigators continue to track the suspects’ connections to other cases across the nation.
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