Man Arrested in Gift Card Fraud
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Hamilton Police have arrested a 51-year-old Toronto man in connection with a fraud investigation involving tampered gift cards.
On December 10, 2025, officers were called to a retail store in the area of Sherman Avenue and Main Street after staff observed a man manipulating gift cards on display. The investigation revealed that the suspect had been replacing the barcodes on the cards with barcodes belonging to cards already in his possession. As a result, when an unsuspecting customer purchased one of the altered cards, the monetary value loaded at the checkout would activate only the card held by the suspect, leaving the purchaser with a worthless card.
The suspect was arrested during a traffic stop. A police search resulted in the seizure of more than 250 gift cards in his possession. He now faces the following charges:
- Theft Over $5,000
- Fraud Over $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Keep your receipt, which includes the transaction details and gift card number
- Check the card for any signs of tampering before purchasing
- Avoid checking balances on unofficial or third-party websites—use only the retailer’s official site