Ashfield Local Area Command

Man charged over gift card fraud – Kingsgrove

Police have charged a man over a fraud scheme involving the fraudulent use of gift cards.

After an extensive investigation, Police from Ashfield Local Area Command yesterday executed a search warrant at a home in Edward Street, Kingsgrove and arrested a 28-year-old man.

Inside the home police allegedly found over 500 stolen gift cards, as well as an amount of new electrical equipment.

The man was taken to St George Police Station and charged with 17 offences including:

• Obtain benefit by deception,
• Use false instrument,
• Goods suspected stolen in premises
• Make false instrument.

The charges relate to alleged fraudulent activities involving the use of stolen gift cards in a range of supermarkets and department stores throughout Sydney, including stores in Punchbowl, North Ryde and Burwood.

The offences allegedly took place between February and December this year.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Kogarah Local Court on 2 February 2010.

The investigation into the matter continues.