Arizona man sentenced to 2 years in prison for gift card cloning scheme

PHOENIX – A man that was part of a gift card cloning scheme was sentenced to prison earlier this month, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Monday.

Yuniel Rodriguez-Leon was sentenced on Sept. 17 to two years and nine months in the Arizona Department of Corrections and two years and six months of probation. Between October and December 2023 he took part in a gift card cloning scheme that targeted Walmart stores in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties.

“I am proud of the work of the agents and prosecutors in my office for their efforts in combating the retail theft that occurred in this gift card cloning scam,” Mayes said in a press release.

Investigators partnered with Walmart’s Global Investigations and found video surveillance of Rodriguez-Leon placing cloned gift cards at gift card cubicles and removing cards to later copy. He was seen using the cloned gift cards to make multiple personal purchases.

“I’m also grateful to Walmart for the support and partnership provided in this operation. Together, we will continue to identify, pursue, and prosecute those involved in such crimes to ensure justice for Arizonans,” Mayes said.

On Aug. 2, Rodriguez-Leon pleaded guilty to fraudulent schemes and artifices, a Class 2 felony, and illegally conducting an enterprise, a Class 3 felony.

In December 2023, Mayes announced that an investigation into the retail theft led to eight arrests and seizure of thousands of cloned gift cards.

How did the gift card cloning scheme work?

Gift card cloning schemes involve someone taking a valid gift card from a store, copying the magnetic strip and returning the gift card to the store shelf. Once a consumer purchases the gift card, the fraudster can use the cloned magnetic strip to use the funds in the gift card that was purchased, leaving the consumer with nothing.

How can consumers avoid a gift card scam?

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office recommends consumers double-check that the number on the back of a gift card matches the number on the receipt. If the numbers don’t match, the card could have been copied.

They also suggest buyers to look for signs of tampering, such as stickers placed over activation codes, damage to the packaging and faint scratches on the card from being swiped through a card reader.

To be safe, people can buy gift cards that are stored behind counters or near cash registers.

If someone believes they were a victim of fraud, they can file a complaint by visiting the Arizona Attorney General’s website or contact the office at 602-542-8888.