New York Gift Card Fraud

Gift card fraud seems to be more and more pervasive these days. 

Everywhere you turn there is news of someone new getting caught. 

Today, that person is 50 year-old Oleksandr Verovkin from Brooklyn.

Verovkin ran a sight claiming to sell gift cards to major US retailers at around 15% below face value.  He told costomers that he was able to purchase the cards at 20% below face and sold them at a slightly higher price to make a profit.

Some customers who wired payments to Mr. Verovkin never received a gift card, while others received their first card but no subsequent cards from further orders.  Defrauded customers come from some 36 states and have lost over $155,000 in total.

Mr. Verovkin has been charged with conspiring to commit mail fraud, a charge that can carry a 30 year sentence and a maximum fine of $1 million.  As more and more charges are brought against those involved in gift card fraud, it will be interesting to see if lengthy sentences and large fines deter other would-be criminals.

As always, Gift Certificate Guide urges you to purchase your gift cards from reputable sources.  If there is a specific gift card you are interested in and do not find on our site, let us know so we can find it for you or refer you to a safe place to buy.