A Chinese citizen, Cao Yuan Liu, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Florida on Sunday, admitting to tampering with gift cards at 42 Publix supermarkets in Florida to steal card values. The affected areas include St. Lucie County, Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County.
Cao Yuan Liu, 22, and his accomplice Chen Linghan, allegedly a couple, committed the crimes between January 14 and December 17, 2024.
Investigators found that Liu and Chen carefully opened gift cards, recorded or removed the serial numbers and PIN codes, and then resealed the packaging to make it appear undamaged. After customers purchased and activated the gift cards, Liu and Chen could illegally access the card information remotely, log into accounts, and use the funds on the cards.
On Sunday, Cao admitted to a charge of conspiracy to possess 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, facing a maximum of five years in prison.
Federal prosecutor Jason A. Reding Quiñones stated on Monday that “Such gift card fraud schemes target unsuspecting consumers and undermine public trust in everyday retail supermarkets.” He added, “Cao’s conviction sends a clear message that anyone tampering with gift cards and stealing from consumers will be held accountable. We are committed to protecting the South Florida community from such fraudulent activities and ensuring that victims receive justice.”
Surveillance footage showed Liu and Chen driving a black Bentley SUV with New York license plates, leaving multiple stores. According to court documents, on December 17, 2024, police received a report of an Asian couple replacing gift cards at a Publix supermarket in Palm City.
Tampered gift cards seized at the scene included ones from Amazon, Macy’s, Home Depot, and Target.
On that day, police searched Liu and Chen’s apartment in Jensen Beach and discovered multiple altered gift cards, including several torn ones apparently intended to be flushed down the toilet, with paper shreds remaining in the bowl. Six days later, law enforcement impounded the Bentley SUV and found other incriminating gift cards during a search of the vehicle.
The total loss amount related to the gift cards in this case does not exceed $250,000.
As of press time, Liu’s lawyer had not responded to requests for comment from the Epoch Times.
In recent months, there have been several gift card fraud cases involving Chinese individuals in the United States.
In April of this year, three Chinese citizens were sentenced to 24 to 60 months in prison in New Hampshire for their involvement in a gift card fraud scheme orchestrated by a Chinese crime organization. The stolen funds were used to purchase expensive electronic products and sent back to China. After serving their prison terms, the three individuals will face deportation.
Prosecutors in Texas remind the public to purchase gift cards kept by stores at the counter or in locked cabinets and verify that the serial numbers on the card match those on the packaging or receipt after opening.
(Adapted from reports by the English Epoch Times)