In Moscow, authorities report that three individuals have been detained in connection with a large-scale scheme to defraud a major retail chain of more than 100 million rubles through the manipulation of gift cards. The information comes from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Media, which provided details about the investigation and the charges filed.
The suspects, all residents of the capital, are accused of a sophisticated fraud scheme that involved collusion within the company. When investigators from the department of economic security and anti-corruption began examining the case, they uncovered that an employee at the head office of the retail chain had access to issue gift cards through one of the company’s partners. This access enabled the creation of gift card balances that could be increased beyond legitimate limits.
According to the findings, the woman who controlled the cards activated them and significantly inflated their balances. Two of the accomplices then used those cards to purchase baby food and subsequently sold the goods, effectively converting the cards into a cash-like asset. The overall loss to the retail chain is estimated at 100 million rubles, a figure reflecting both the direct financial impact and the broader disruption to supply chains and customer trust. During searches connected to the investigation, investigators seized mobile phones, office supplies, and bank cards, items believed to be instrumental in the execution of the fraud.
The case has been assigned to the Investigative Directorate of the Internal Affairs Directorate for the Southeastern Administrative District within the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The criminal case is being pursued under part 4 of article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, with all related incidents consolidated into a single proceeding. The defendants face formal charges, and a preventive measure has been ordered requiring them to refrain from leaving the city and to comply with conditions deemed suitable by the court, pending further investigation. Officials stressed that the case remains active and ongoing, with investigators continuing to collect evidence and verify the scope of the alleged scheme.
In a related note, it was reported that a Russian woman had previously attempted to transfer 4.5 million rubles to scammers, driven by a fear of losing her apartment. This prior episode illustrates how personal vulnerability and pressure can intersect with criminal activity, underscoring the importance of rapid reporting and robust cybersecurity practices within both corporate environments and personal conduct. The authorities reiterated the guidance that institutions should maintain stringent control over gift card issuance and balance adjustments, while individuals should remain vigilant for suspicious requests or irregular activity that could indicate fraud.