A man from China has been sentenced for his involvement in a large-scale gift card counterfeiting operation in Coshocton, Ohio. Ming Xue, 33, was indicted on more than 300 charges, including counterfeiting and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Xue was arrested at a Walmart store in Coshocton during a “Shop with a Cop” event on December 5. Deputies reportedly saw Xue concealing unloaded gift cards in his clothing. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered hundreds more gift cards.
According to authorities, Xue conspired with others to steal unused gift cards, alter their values, and then return them to store shelves. When customers purchased the tampered cards, the funds loaded onto them were stolen by Xue and his accomplices.
In January, Xue was indicted, and in April, he pleaded guilty to 299 charges of counterfeiting, along with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. In a hearing at the Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas, a judge sentenced him to a combined 4-6 years in prison, with an additional 18-36 months of post-release control.
Xue was credited with 164 days of jail time, reducing his overall sentence.
This case highlights the growing issue of gift card fraud, where criminals alter the value of cards to steal from unsuspecting customers.