"Grandparent Scam" Fraud Thwarted At Glendora Walmart

GLENDORA, CA — A Glendora Walmart employee discovered fraud in action when two customers were seen self-checking out with thousands of dollars in gift cards, Glendora Police Department said in recent release.

"On February 27, officers responded to Walmart regarding a suspicious transaction," they said.

Loss Prevention Officers from Walmart reported that two men were purchasing numerous gift cards at the self-check out using Walmart gift cards as payment.

Xiaofeng Jiao a 45-year-old man from San Gabriel and Yongzhe Wang, a 25-year-old Las Vegas man were attempting to make the large scale transactions.

"Jiao and Wang were detained as they exited the store," Glendora PD said.

Follow up investigation showed that the men were using Walmart gift card numbers to purchase $2000 worth of Google Play and Steam Gaming gift cards.

Additional information indicated the men were given the Walmart gift card numbers from an unknown person who promised to pay them for the gift cards they purchased.

"Both men were arrested for unauthorized use of personal identifying information," Police said.

On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, GPD Detective Ziino was able to identify the victim in this fraud.

A 79-year-old woman from Ridgecrest, CA, fell victim to the “Grandparent Scam.”

"She received a phone call from someone identifying themselves as her grandsons’ friend, and explained her grandson had been involved in a car accident and was currently being detained at the American Embassy," Officers said.

The elderly woman was directed to purchase $5,000 in Walmart gift cards, which she did, and she provided all of the gift card numbers to the “friend” when he called back to get them.

"Within a few hours, our officers detained the two suspects mentioned above, who were already using these gift card numbers," they said.

Walmart Loss Prevention and the Glendora Police Officers and Detectives who were able to piece this crime together were commended for their expedient resolution to this case.

"This is a reminder to never trust people who call and requesting money or credit information over the phone," they said. "Always verify the facts before sending money to anyone."

If you have any questions, contact your local police department.

Glendora Police can be reached at (626) 914-8250.

"Remember, once money is sent, it is difficult, if not impossible to recover," they said.

Charges in this case are currently pending with the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.

Photo, courtesy Glendora Police Department