191
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — Police say two people used fake gift cards to scam shoppers at Publix stores in St. Lucie and Martin Counties.
Jeffrey Castillo, 42, and Janel Matos Castillo, 28, were caught after a Publix manager noticed something suspicious and called police.
The scam worked like this: The suspects put fake gift cards on the shelves. When customers bought them, the money went to the Castillos. The cards didn’t have real security codes, so the customers couldn’t use them.
Police say the pair were involved in at least three scams. Jeffrey Castillo was already out on bond for another crime.
Both were arrested for fraud and trying to steal under $20,000.
