Police found 134 tampered gift cards in Liang Xiong’s vehicle in Missouri. Federal prosecutors say the cards could have held $58,300 if customers had purchased and activated them.
Xiong pleaded guilty November 4 in federal court in St. Louis to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
All the gift cards in this case were recovered before customers bought them.
The admitted activity ran from February 24 through at least March 11, 2026. Compromised cards were returned to retailers in Colorado, Iowa and Missouri.
He Stole Amazon Cards and Put Apple Cards Back on a Rack
Xiong admitted removing the strips concealing gift-card serial numbers, recording the numbers and returning the cards to store displays. He and others intended to use that information to take the money after shoppers loaded funds onto the cards.
Xiong admitted stealing 15 Amazon gift cards from an O’Fallon, Missouri, store on March 10. The next day, he placed 16 previously stolen Apple gift cards on a display rack at a St. Charles store, prosecutors said.
St. Charles police arrested him that day. The compromised cards recovered from his vehicle came from three retailers, according to the federal announcement. Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Charles Police Department investigated the case.
Court Accepts Guilty Plea, With Sentencing Set for February
The November 4 court entry records Chief U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark’s acceptance of Xiong’s guilty plea to Count 1. The federal case is numbered 4:26-cr-00192-SRC.
The federal possession provision covers knowingly holding at least 15 counterfeit or unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud, when the offense affects interstate or foreign commerce. A completed theft of money from a customer is not required for that possession offense.
A November 5 docket entry sets sentencing for February 10, 2027. The offense carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, according to prosecutors.
What Shoppers Should Check Before Buying Gift Cards
The Federal Trade Commission recommends checking gift cards for removed stickers or signs that someone has scratched off the back. Report suspicious cards to a cashier or manager. Because scammers may tamper with cards in batches, the agency suggests considering another store if something looks wrong.
The FTC also suggests paying for gift cards with a credit card when possible. If a problem arises, the credit-card issuer can investigate a chargeback request, which may help recover the purchase price. A refund is not guaranteed.
Keep copies of the gift card and purchase receipt. If a card does not work or has no balance, those details can help you report the problem promptly to the gift-card issuer. Suspected fraud can also be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.