Public Service Announcement: Victim identification in New Hampshire gift card scheme

CONCORD, N.H. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, is seeking to identify potential victims of a sophisticated gift card fraud scheme for victim restitution purposes.

In December 2023, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Concord, New Hampshire Police Department began investigating a sophisticated gift card fraud scheme that is perpetuated by criminal organizations in China. This network has established a base of operations in New Hampshire due to the State’s tax-free retail environment and is responsible for millions of dollars in consumer losses.

Co-conspirators identified in this region work together in a highly coordinated fashion to purchase high-end electronics utilizing stolen gift cards. These stolen gift cards are acquired though several fraudulent schemes, including elder-fraud, gift card tampering, and network intrusions. Once the electronics are purchased, they are re-packaged and shipped internationally where they are sold.

More information on this general fraud scheme.

Potential fraud victims who had gift card funds stolen or used without authorization between Oct. 1, 2023 and Jan. 11, 2024, especially if the stolen funds originated from Apple, Walmart, Target, and BestBuy gift cards, are asked to provide the gift card number(s) and receipt or proof of purchase to HSINewEnglandVictimAssistance@ice.dhs.gov. Please also include the victim’s name and contact phone number. Personal identifying information will only be viewed and used by law enforcement to assist in returning lost assets. The victim’s gift card number will be run against a database of known gift cards stolen in this conspiracy. If matched, the victim will be contacted for next steps in the restitution process. This filing period will be open until June 30, 2025.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)