Two men charged in alleged Narragansett gift card scam

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE) — Two men were charged last week in connection with an alleged gift card scam in Narragansett.

The Narragansett Police Department arrested and charged 36-year-old Zhongzhen Lin and 26-year-old Chaoyang Lin on March 7 for their alleged role in the scam.

Police said officers observed suspicious activity outside of Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Woodruff Avenue, and stopped two individuals, identified as Lin and Lin.

A search of the men’s vehicle led to the discovery of 4,387 gift cards that had been tampered with, according to authorities.

After an investigation, officers learned that the suspects were allegedly tampering with gift cards on the display rack inside the store.

Police said they believe both are involved in an organized gift card tampering scheme that involves tampering with gift card packages to steal sensitive information.

Officials said the gift cards are then placed back on the racks of retail stores to be sold to customers.

Through this tampering, funds can be stolen at a later date when the compromised gift cards are activated at a point of sale, authorities said.

Similar arrests in connection to gift card scams were made recently in Bristol.

Officials said both men in Narragansett were charged with forgery and counterfeiting, obtaining property by false pretenses, and conspiracy.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was called in to assist with the ongoing investigation, per authorities.