7 Charged In $20 Million Scheme To Use Fake Gift Cards Across LI: DA

MINEOLA, NY — Seven people were arrested in a $20-million scheme to use fraudulently obtained Home Depot and Lowe's gift cards to purchase merchandise at dozens of retail locations in Nassau County and across the state, and resell the items to local businesses in New York City, prosecutors said.

The following people were arraigned Wednesday on charges of second-degree money laundering and fourth-degree conspiracy:

• Sky Lin, 36, of Queens
• Lifa Wang, 49, of Queens
• Hai Tao Liu, 38, of Staten Island
• Yu Lin, 35, of Queens
• Jie Lin, 32, of Queens
• Lixi Wang, 40, of Queens
• Jia Bin Chen, 39, of Queens

"These seven defendants used the stolen funds, obtained through a computer scam that targeted more than 1800 victims in 45 states, to buy copper pipes, electrical wire, and other equipment for resale to local home improvement businesses in New York City. Search warrants coinciding with these defendants’ arrests recovered enough products to fill 12 box trucks, $100,000 in cash, and several of the defendants’ vans with merchandise still inside," Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

If convicted, they each face up to five to 15 years in prison. Six defendants are due back in court on March 14. Jie Lin is due back in court on March 7.

Donnelly said the Nassau County Police Department and Home Depot and Lowe’s investigators, conducted a 15-month long investigation into a money laundering operation that allegedly laundered approximately $20 million using Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards between January 3, 2023, and March 4, 2025.

As the investigation continued, a complex computer-based scam was uncovered, utilizing spyware pop-ups and scam text messages targeting victims across the country. The scam deceived victims into believing that their computer, identities, financial information, or other data had been compromised and instructed them to call a phone number, Donnelly said.

She said the invesitgation into the computer scam is ongoing.

"If any resident of Nassau County suspects they are being targeted for computer fraud, they should call 911 to report it and we will be there to investigate thoroughly," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.