Two Defendants, Gift Card Scam, Georgia 2024
MACON, Ga. - Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Separate Investigations Involving Complex Walmart Gift Card Scam
Two individuals, David A. Hoagland and Jason M. Garrison, pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a nationwide gift card scam that victimized hundreds of Americans, many of whom were elderly, and resulted in the criminal extraction of money from unsuspecting citizens.
The scam, which was investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia, involved the use of fake websites and social media platforms to trick victims into purchasing gift cards, which were then used to pay for various expenses. The scammers would then sell the gift cards on the black market, often for a fraction of their value.
Hoagland, of Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, while Garrison, of Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
The crimes were committed between September 2021 and September 2022, during which time the scammers made millions of dollars in profits. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia has been working tirelessly to combat this type of fraud and has returned hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims.
The office has also engaged in outreach to the community to raise awareness about scams and exploitation, and has a dedicated Elder Justice Fraud Coordinator who focuses on the successful prosecution of elder abuse cases.
The defendants are currently awaiting sentencing, with Hoagland facing up to 20 years in prison and Garrison facing up to 30 years. The total amount of money lost by victims is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia urges citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The public can also visit the office's website for information on how to protect themselves from scams and exploitation.
As part of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia's ongoing efforts to combat elder fraud, the office has been working with the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, a coalition of law enforcement agencies dedicated to disrupting and dismantling foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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