Target gift card fraud ring busted at Buckhead store

ATLANTA — A bizarre fraud scheme came crashing down at a Buckhead Target store Thursday after Atlanta police said they caught the suspects red-handed.

Police said the suspects pulled off their scheme at a couple of stores, before finally being caught at the Target location along Sidney Marcus Boulevard, all thanks to an Atlanta police surveillance operation.

Shoppers told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon they were stunned when they heard what was going on.

“That is crazy. Wouldn't even think that someone would do something like that," shopper Lara Temple told Wilfon.

Atlanta police said the two masterminds of the operation were finding Target employees on social media, and offering them cash in exchange for helping them steal and activate Target gift cards.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Police: Suspect in Americus officers' shooting is dead
• Family says 11-year-old accidentally killed 14-year-old
• Mother, daughter found dead in well in North Carolina

"It sounds pretty witty of whoever decided to do that, but it's terrible," said shopper Tyson Fuller.

An internal Target review first uncovered the scheme as part of a larger investigation that found more than $200,000 worth of fraud.

When Target received a tip that the suspects might try it again at the Buckhead store, officials notified Atlanta police.

Thursday morning, with an APD surveillance team looking on, the suspects showed up and asked a cashier to activate $14,000 worth of gift cards.

"They offered no form of payments to pay for those cards and they took them and exited the store.
The surveillance team closed in and arrested him in the parking lot," Sgt. Paul Cooper of the Atlanta Police Department's major fraud unit told Wilfon.

Police nabbed Adrian Clark and his girlfriend, Arielle Charles, who police said was driving the getaway car.

Investigators said the pair pulled off their scheme at several metro Targets, but now police believe their traveling fraud road show is finally over.

"I didn't think anyone would have the guts to pull it off. It's kind of unique," shopper Sam McKnight said.

Police told Wilfon that Charles was wanted on fraud charges in another part of Georgia.

So far, no Target employees have been charged with any crimes.

Target sent Wilfon a statement Friday saying:

"Target is committed to providing a secure environment for our guests and team members. As a part of that commitment, we take a multi-layered, comprehensive approach to preventing theft and fraud that includes innovative programs and partnerships with local law enforcement, technology and team member training.

"We are aware of this incident and have been partnering with local law enforcement. Because this is an active investigation, we don't have additional details to share."

Cox Media Group