Yuniel Rodriguez-Leon has been sentenced to 2.75 years in state prison for his role in a gift card cloning scam during the 2023 holiday season. Rodriguez-Leon will also serve 2.5 years of probation following his release and was ordered to pay over $5,400 in fees and fines.
In August, Rodriguez-Leon pleaded guilty to “Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices,” a Class 2 felony, and “Illegal Conducting an Enterprise,” a Class 3 felony. He was caught at Walmart placing cloned, unusable gift cards back on display shelves. These cloned cards were rendered worthless for consumers.
The scam took place from October to December 2023, and Rodriguez-Leon was one of eight individuals arrested in connection with the scheme. Attorney General Kris Mayes praised the efforts of law enforcement and Walmart for their collaboration in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“I am proud of the agents and prosecutors in my office for their efforts in combating this retail theft. Together with Walmart, we will continue to identify, pursue, and prosecute those involved in such crimes,” Mayes stated.
The Attorney General’s Office warned consumers about the dangers of gift card cloning during the holiday season. The Organized Retail Theft Task Force successfully seized thousands of cloned cards, demonstrating the office’s commitment to protecting Arizonans from fraud.
