Aurora family caught using $750K worth of fraudulent gift cards

TORONTO – Three members of an Aurora family have been charged in connection with a $750,000 gift card fraud scam targeting major retailers across the Greater Toronto Area.

York Regional Police say their investigation began in June 2013 after they received complaints from loss prevention officers that the family was using fraudulent cards to make large purchases.

A search warrant was executed on July 18 at the family’s home where police seized merchandise, jewelry, cash and equipment used to manufacture fake IDs.

Investigators say the family allegedly used fake credit cards to buy gift cards at major retailers and then resold the items online.

Zeba Chaudhry, 49, Hasan Chaudhry, 21, and Waleed Chaudhry, 24, have been charged with fraud over $5,000, fraud under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, use of credit card data and possession of credit card data.

The value of the fraud may be higher as the investigation is ongoing.