Michigan retailer targeted by organized crime steals $800,000

An organized crime ring that targeted Meijer stores in Michigan cost the retailer more than $800,000.

According to prosecutors, nine people participated in the scam by using fake coupon barcodes to fraudulently obtain Visa and MasterCard gift cards. The scam spanned several years and began in 2018.

Nine people charged in Meijer fraud scheme

According to WOOD-TV, court documents named nine people who are married, related or closely associated. Criminal charges have been filed against eight of those nine people: Christine Day, Travis Gale, Travis Plotts, Kristin Ragen, Thomas Ragen, Efrain Tejada, Elizabeth Tejada and Sara Tejada.

One of the defendants, Travis Gale, was observed on surveillance video or electronically linked to 90 transactions involving counterfeit barcodes totaling approximately $9,000 during a two-month period in 2022.

Most of the fraudulent transactions occurred at Meijer stores in Grandville and Walker. Meijer is based in Grand Rapids and operates 123 stores in Michigan and 142 additional stores in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky.

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Meijer discovered the discrepancy in 2022 and reported losses totaling $805,000.

Retail fraud rings in Michigan

Chris Becker, the Kent County District Attorney, told the television station that the number of large groups jointly responsible for retail fraud is increasing in Michigan.

“It's amazing how they find unique ways to steal,” Becker said. “They don't just go into stores and steal things. They come up with creative ways to steal.”