The Waterloo Regional Police Service has seized hundreds of fraudulent gift cards following a proactive initiative in Kitchener.

On December 12, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Direct Action Response Team (DART) officers were conducting patrols near retail businesses when they were alerted to a theft in progress at a store on Highland Road West. A male was observed concealing gift cards and replacing authentic cards with tampered ones before leaving the store.

Officers quickly located and arrested the individual. During the arrest, police seized over 550 gift cards from multiple retailers, with an estimated value of $27,500 to $133,000 if activated.

The male, a 39-year-old from Markham, has been charged with theft under $5,000 and fraud over $5,000 and was held for a bail hearing.

When purchasing gift cards, members of the public are encouraged to:

• Inspect the packaging for signs of tampering.
• Ensure the PIN is not exposed or scratched off.
• Buy cards from reputable sources and keep your receipt.

If you suspect a gift card has been compromised, report it to the retailer immediately.