A recent case in New Hampshire laid bare the depths of international fraud schemes exploiting American consumers.

Three foreign-based criminals pleaded guilty to participating in a sophisticated gift card scam, involving the purchase and resale of hundreds of fraudulently obtained gift cards, netting criminals millions of dollars.

Their crimes weren’t isolated; rather, they are part of a much larger, growing problem linked to international organized retail crime, money laundering, and even the funding of illicit activities.

For too long, gift card fraud has been dismissed as a nuisance crime, but the reality is far more troubling. What was once viewed as an opportunistic scam has evolved into a key tool for transnational criminal networks that exploit legal loopholes, weak enforcement mechanisms, and unsuspecting victims.

Criminal syndicates use a variety of techniques, including tampering with gift cards before they are purchased, tricking victims into unknowingly purchasing tampered gift cards, and using stolen credit card information to load and resell them. These elaborate scams disproportionately target vulnerable, unsuspecting consumers.

The consequences of gift card fraud extend far beyond financial losses for consumers and retailers. Fraudulently obtained gift cards serve as a vehicle for laundering illicit funds, enabling the flow of money across international borders without detection. Investigations have linked such fraud schemes to drug cartels, human trafficking operations, and cybercriminal enterprises. This is not a victimless crime — it fuels a broader ecosystem of illegal activity that undermines public safety.

Recognizing the urgency of the problem, major retailers, gift card issuers, and law enforcement agencies have launched initiatives to disrupt fraud networks.

Project Red Hook, a collaboration between Homeland Security Investigations and the private sector, has already resulted in more than 150 arrests since its inception in early 2024.

Retailers are investing in cutting-edge security measures such as encrypted QR codes, dynamic PIN systems, and real-time fraud monitoring to prevent tampering. Training programs are being rolled out to equip retail employees with the tools to recognize and prevent gift card fraud at the point of sale.

While these efforts represent critical progress, they must be supported by stronger legal deterrents. Criminals have exploited gaps in state and federal statutes, taking advantage of jurisdictions where gift card fraud is either lightly penalized or not explicitly addressed in the law. Prosecutors often struggle to bring cases forward due to the lack of clear legal definitions around unauthorized gift card redemption and the absence of dedicated criminal penalties.

The National District Attorneys Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police urge lawmakers to support legislative measures to classify gift card tampering as a felony and provide prosecutors and police with the tools needed to pursue organized crime syndicates effectively.

Additionally, prosecutors must be empowered to charge individuals for unauthorized possession and misuse of gift card redemption information, closing a major loophole that fraudsters exploit. Laws should also be updated to address victim-assisted scams, in which criminals deceive individuals into revealing their gift card details under false pretenses.

The rise of gift card fraud is not merely a consumer protection issue — it is transnational organized retail crime that demands a coordinated response. Retailers, gift card issuers, law enforcement, and policymakers must work together to ensure that gift cards, intended to provide convenience and joy, do not become tools of exploitation and crime.

With stronger laws, better enforcement, and continued industry collaboration, we can disrupt these fraudulent schemes, protect consumers, and dismantle the organized crime networks that profit from them. The time to act is now.

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Summer Stephan is the District Attorney for San Diego County, California; Ken Walker is the Chief of Police for the City of West University Place, Texas.

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Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

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Ed. Note — This is not how it’s supposed to be.

As Florida reels from yet another horrific school shooting, this time at our beloved Florida State University in Tallahassee, we at Florida Politics would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by this senseless tragedy — and honor the brave first responders and law enforcement who ran into danger to quell the horror quickly.

We are all Noles tonight.

With that, Sunburn will be taking the evening off to allow our staff to process this extremely difficult day. Also, on pause for this weekend are Takeaways from Tallahassee and Capitol Directions.

And since it’s Easter Sunday, Sunburn will return with a new edition for Tuesday morning.

Please, take a few moments to show love and peace to friends and family during this holiest of seasons. Hold your loved ones just a bit tighter today.

Take care and stay safe. Thank you.

He is risen!

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First Shot

The son of a Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy stands accused of killing two people and injuring five others at a mass shooting at Florida State University.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil revealed the information about the shooter at a news conference held by the Tallahassee Police Department in the wake of the shooting.

“The shooter is 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, and he’s a son of a Leon County Sheriff deputy,” McNeil said. “Our deputy, Deputy Ikner, has been with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for over 18 years. She has a tremendous job that she’s done. Her service to this community has been exceptional. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene.”

The news conference was at 4:30 p.m. when authorities confirmed the shooter’s name and said he was being treated for injuries.

Authorities said there were six victims besides the two killed. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare has confirmed to The Associated Press that six people were being treated after the shooting, one in critical condition.

The identities of those killed in the shooting were not immediately released, and police released no information about the victims.

Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower said those killed were not students.

Roughly four hours after the shooting was first reported, police announced the campus was secure. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell told reporters that investigators believe Eichner was the sole shooter.

Read more on Florida Politics.

Evening Reads

—“Florida pols offer safety advice, ‘thoughts and prayers’ following FSU shooting” via Jesse Schecker of Florida Politics

—”Florida State athletes react to FSU shooting: ‘My heart is broken’” via Dan Rorabaugh of USA Today Network-Florida

—”Florida State cancels athletic events through Sunday after shooting” via Andrea Adelson of ESPN

—“FSU shooting: Threat ‘neutralized’ after six injured, one critically; man arrested” via Arianna Otero, Jim Rosica, Jeff Burlew, Ana Goñi-Lessan, Alaijah Brown, Elena Barrera of Tallahassee Democrat

—“Universities told students to leave the country. ICE just said they didn’t actually have to” via Natasha Lennard of The Intercept

—”The everyday electronics that won’t survive Donald Trump’s trade war” via Adam Clark Estes of Vox

—”Marco Rubio revoked international student’s visa for dumbest reason” via Martin Scotten of The New Republic

—”Republican lawmakers face fresh backlash to Trump at home” via Michael Gold and Maya C. Miller of The New York Times

—“One simple hack to ruin your Easter” via Kaitlyn Tiffany of The Atlantic

—“Is ‘Sinners’ a Western, crime thriller, Southern Gothic, or monster movie? Yes.” via A.A. Dowd of Rolling Stone

Quote of the Day

“Some of the students who survived the Parkland shooting in 2018 are current students at FSU — when will our leaders be willing to stand up and stop the gun violence epidemic?”

— Sen. Shevrin Jones, on the FSU shooting.

There is Help

FSU students, Tallahasseans and Seminoles across the state: If you are experiencing distress or anxiety, help is available.

Following the shooting, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay announced that it has staff on hand who can speak to the emotional trauma of this situation, how people can cope, and how to access further resources.

Furthermore, anyone experiencing distress or fear can connect with support by calling 211, regardless of their location.