(The Center Square) – A man has been sentenced a gift card cloning case, which was a scam that occurred during the last holiday season.
Yuniel Rodriguez-Leon is facing 2.75 years in state prison and 2.5 years of probation afterward. He pled guilty to the Class 2 felony of “Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices” in August, as well as the Class 3 felony of “illegal conducting an enterprise.” He was caught by Walmart putting “cloned” gift cards, which means they were no longer good for use, back on display at stores.
He was also ordered to pay over $5,400 in fees and fines starting four months after he’s out of prison.
“I am proud of the work of the agents and prosecutors in my office for their efforts in combating the retail theft that occurred in this gift card cloning scam,” Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement. “I’m also grateful to Walmart for the support and partnership provided in this operation. Together, we will continue to identify, pursue, and prosecute those involved in such crimes to ensure justice for Arizonans.”
The crimes occured from October to December 2023, and Mayes issued a warning at the time to consumers about the risks of gift card cloning, The Center Square reported. Eight people were arrested at the time as part of the scheme.
“The agents and investigators that make up the Organized Retail Theft Task Force in the Attorney General’s Office have demonstrated our commitment to protecting Arizonans from fraud by uncovering this complex gift card cloning scam,” Mayes said then. “The successful seizure of thousands of cloned cards and the arrest of several individuals reflects my office’s unwavering dedication to stopping organized retail theft across Arizona.”
