Three men have been arrested in what investigators are calling a massive gift card fraud operation spanning multiple Texas regions. Authorities estimate the scheme may have bilked retailers and consumers out of a staggering $14 million.
Kristians Petrovskis, Romunds Cubrevics, and Nurmunds Ulevicus were taken into custody following an investigation by the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, according to a statement from the agency. All three face charges of Fraudulent Possession of Gift Cards, a first-degree felony that could result in substantial prison time if convicted.
Systematic Theft Across the State
During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to a breathtaking scale of criminal activity — hitting approximately 10 stores daily, seven days a week, since May 2025. Their operation allegedly targeted retailers across Dallas-Fort Worth, Central Texas, and Gulf Coast areas, officials said.
Jeff Roberts from the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center confirmed the arrests came after a coordinated effort to track the suspects’ movements. “This case represents one of the most extensive gift card fraud operations we’ve encountered,” Roberts noted in a press briefing.
How did the scam work? Investigators believe the suspects employed sophisticated card cloning techniques, creating counterfeit gift cards that appeared legitimate to both retailers and consumers. The group would then use these cloned cards to purchase merchandise or resell them to unsuspecting buyers.
Bags of Evidence
When authorities moved in for the arrest, they discovered more than 400 gift cards in the suspects’ possession. One particularly significant bust occurred at a Walgreens location in Garland, where officers seized three shopping bags containing fraudulent gift cards — including 75 cards in a single haul, according to footage released by investigators.
“These weren’t amateur criminals,” said one investigator who requested anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. “The systematic approach and the volume of cards involved indicate a sophisticated operation.”
The scam’s impact extends beyond retailers to consumers who may have purchased or received compromised gift cards. Many victims likely remain unaware their cards have been tampered with or drained of value, authorities warned.
Financial crimes experts say gift card fraud has become increasingly common as technology makes cloning and tampering easier. Retailers across Texas have been implementing additional security measures, but sophisticated criminals continue to find ways around these protections.
All three suspects remain in custody as investigators continue to process evidence and identify potential victims. Authorities urge anyone who suspects they may have received a compromised gift card to contact their local law enforcement agency.
For consumers wondering how to protect themselves, experts recommend purchasing gift cards from behind store counters rather than from accessible racks, examining cards for signs of tampering, and registering cards when possible with the issuing company.
As holiday gift card exchanges continue through the new year, this case serves as a stark reminder that even the simplest forms of currency remain targets for those with criminal intent and technical know-how.
