Cao Yuan Liu, Gift Card Fraud, Florida 2024

MIAMI – A brazen gift card scam has left grocery stores across South Florida picking up the pieces, and federal authorities have finally caught up with the culprits. Cao Yuan Liu, 22, and Linghan Chen, 26, two Chinese nationals, have been charged with conspiracy and possession of 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices in connection with the scheme, which affected grocery stores in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

According to court records, on December 16, 2024, Liu and Chen entered a grocery store and tampered with gift cards by removing them from the gift card aisle, cutting out or scratching off the PIN and identification numbers, and returning the compromised cards. Once an unsuspecting customer purchased and activated a card, Liu and Chen were able to access the funds.

The store’s surveillance system captured Liu and Chen driving away from the store in a black Bentley SUV with a New York license plate. The following day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Liu and Chen’s residence, seizing numerous gift cards, including pieces the pair tried to flush down the toilet. A subsequent search of the Bentley SUV on December 23, 2024, uncovered additional gift cards.

Investigators have identified approximately 42 grocery stores across Florida that were targeted in the scheme. If convicted, Liu and Chen each face up to 15 years imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement. HSI Fort Pierce and Martin County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Lineberger is prosecuting this case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-14043.

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