Alhambra Man Charged in Multi-State Meijer Gift Card Scam

Prosecutors say software was used to monitor when cards were loaded with money, allowing thieves to quickly drain the balances.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:07pm

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A 31-year-old man from Alhambra, California, was arraigned in Waterford, Michigan on charges related to a multi-state scheme that allegedly drained balances from Meijer gift cards. Prosecutors say the operation involved thieves stealing unsold gift cards, exposing the hidden redemption numbers, and then resealing the cards to slip them back onto store shelves. Software was allegedly used to monitor when the cards were loaded with money, allowing the thieves to quickly drain the balances before legitimate buyers could use them.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of organized retail crime and the use of sophisticated technology to carry out gift card fraud schemes. The alleged scam targeted a major regional retailer, Meijer, and impacted stores across multiple states, raising concerns about the scale and coordination of these criminal operations.

The details

Prosecutors charged Sinjuan Song, a 31-year-old from Alhambra, California, with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony, and two counts of possession of a fraudulent financial transaction device, each a four-year felony. Song was arraigned in Waterford and ordered held on a $500,000 cash or surety bond with travel restrictions. He is scheduled to return to court on March 31 for a probable-cause conference.

  • Song was arraigned on March 21, 2026.
  • Song is scheduled to return to court on March 31, 2026 for a probable-cause conference.

The players

Sinjuan Song

A 31-year-old man from Alhambra, California who was charged in the multi-state Meijer gift card fraud scheme.

Michigan Attorney General's Office

The office that is leading the prosecution of the alleged gift card fraud operation.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service

The federal agency that partnered with the Michigan Attorney General's Office and Michigan State Police in the investigation and crackdown on the organized retail crime ring.

Dana Nessel

The Michigan Attorney General who previously released an informational video warning consumers about this type of gift card scam.

FORCE Team

A first-in-the-nation unit within the Michigan Attorney General's Office that embeds prosecutors and investigators to focus on groups that repackage or launder stolen goods and balances.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Sinjuan Song out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of organized retail crime and the use of sophisticated technology to carry out gift card fraud schemes. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutors, and retailers to combat these complex criminal operations.