Suspects Target Target for Target Gift Cards

Franconia Police District – Officers from our Franconia Police District have arrested two men involved in a complex fraud ring involving altered gift cards.

On December 20, officers assigned to the Springfield Town Center were alerted by Target’s Asset Protection for two men who were altering gift cards in their store and had done the same thing earlier in the day at a Target store in Manassas. Officers saw the two men stocking the shelves with gift cards and detained them. They were found to be in possession of altered Target gift cards. The cards are suspected of being linked to an outside account which takes money from a would-be buyer and deposits it into the fraudster’s gift card account instead of the buyer’s. 

A search of the suspect’s vehicle uncovered numerous altered Target gift cards and evidence of a larger fraud ring in the region and extending into states across the country. In total, officers recovered just under 1,000 altered gift cards.

Rongjie He, 32, of California was charged with ten felony counts of Obtain Money by False Pretense, Credit Card Theft, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny. He was taken to the Fairfax County ADC and has since been released on bond.

Kaihua Chen, 27, of California, was charged with four felony counts of Obtain Money by False Pretense, nine counts of Credit Card Theft, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny. He was taken to the Fairfax County ADC and is currently being held on no bond.

Officers are asking anyone with information regarding these suspects or this incident to call our Franconia District Station at 703-922-0889. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for a cash reward. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.

FCPD suggests following the below tips whenever purchasing a gift card from a retail store:

1. Inspect the Packaging: Check the gift card packaging for any signs of tampering or resealing. Look for broken seals, loose corners, or any other indications that the packaging has been altered.

2. Check the Activation Sticker: Many gift cards have an activation sticker or label on the back. Make sure the activation sticker is intact and has not been peeled off or replaced. Altered cards may have a different activation sticker or a sticker that looks suspicious.

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