An investigation is underway into a mass fraud operation, which saw gift cards connected to counterfeit credit cards used to buy hundreds of iPhones. The phones were purchased in Oregon, USA, and were about to be shipped to Hong Kong, according to KOIN.
Detectives believe that the purchases are worth more than USD750,000.
The Tigard Police Commercial Crimes unit began investigating the case on Dec. 4 when a man used “large stacks of gift cards” to purchase iPhones from an Apple store in Washington. He was then seen placing his purchases in the boot of a rental car that was full of Apple shopping bags.
On searching the vehicle, officers found 470 iPhones, hundreds of gift cards and receipts totalling over USD585,000.
The investigators then headed to a nearby FedEx office, where they discovered a number of boxes filled with iPhones that were waiting for shipment to Hong Kong.
According to officials, the gift cards (more like grift cards, right?) that were used are directly linked to counterfeit credit cards that originated in Southern California.
No arrests have yet been made.
