NEW YORK — Authorities have charged seven New York City residents in connection to a $20 million gift card scam that targeted elderly victims across 45 states, including Alaska. The scam, which was first uncovered in Nassau County on Long Island, involved fraudulent pop-up messages and text scams, coercing victims into purchasing gift cards from home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
The scammers then used the gift cards to buy over $20 million worth of home improvement products — including copper piping, insulated wiring, and hot water heaters. The merchandise was resold to local plumbing and construction businesses for profit.
The six men from Queens — Sky Lin (36), Lifa Wang (49), Yu Lin (35), Jie Lin (32), Lixi Wang (40), and Jia Bin Chen (39) — along with one Staten Island resident, Hai Tao Liu (38), were charged with money laundering and conspiracy in connection with the scheme.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly confirmed that the office is still looking to charge five more individuals in the ongoing investigation.
“This fraud impacted thousands of victims, and we are working to ensure the perpetrators face justice,” said Donnelly.
The scheme spanned multiple states, defrauding 1,800 victims. Authorities warn that the scam is part of a larger trend of fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, through deceptive phone and computer messages.
