Gift card crime ring exposed in Phoenix

Media outlets report that 36 people were indicted as part of an organized crime ring in Phoenix that apparently perpetrated over $1.2 million in gift card fraud in the Phoenix area.

Reports said Scottsdale, Ariz., police were alerted in April 2010 to a man auctioning off retail gift cards online. Investigators linked that information to a network of people who sold shoplifted items on the Internet and returned some of the stolen goods to other stores for cash or credit.

The investigation uncovered gift card scams, identity theft and retail theft from the Angel Tree holiday toy program that provides Christmas presents to the children of convicted felons.

The Maricopa County grand jury reportedly indicted the conspirators with over 50 felony counts, including trafficking in stolen property.

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