Story perspectives

Chinese Crime Ring Nets $1B via Stolen Card Gift Cards

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

HSI assistant special agent Adam Parks identified a Chinese crime network that buys $95 gift cards with stolen credit-card data at Lowe’s and Target in Hammond, Louisiana.
Fraudsters load stolen cards into wallets, tap-to-pay at self-checkout kiosks, and sell Walmart app credentials on Telegram for $1.50-$2 each.
Police estimate the gangs earn up to $1 billion annually, with local authorities often unable to prosecute unless the theft meets a federal-crime threshold.

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Story summary

HSI assistant special agent Adam Parks identified a Chinese crime network that buys $95 gift cards with stolen credit-card data at Lowe’s and Target in Hammond, Louisiana.
Fraudsters load stolen cards into wallets, tap-to-pay at self-checkout kiosks, and sell Walmart app credentials on Telegram for $1.50-$2 each.
Police estimate the gangs earn up to $1 billion annually, with local authorities often unable to prosecute unless the theft meets a federal-crime threshold.