FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Amarillo Police Department Financial Crimes Detectives received information regarding two individuals suspected of committing large-scale gift card scams who were believed to be in Amarillo.
These types of cases often involve tampering with large quantities of gift cards, many of which may later be deactivated. Gift card status can typically be verified by scanning the card at the originating retailer.
Investigators learned this group has operated nationwide, with cases reported in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. More than 40 cases have been linked to this activity, including a recent arrest in Dallas involving over 400 fraudulent cards.
Based on information developed by the Financial Crimes Unit, APD Crime Analysts and officers with the Amarillo Regional Crime Center (ARCC) provided intelligence to PACE officers, who were able to locate the suspects at a shopping area in east Amarillo.
During the investigation, PACE officers identified evidence of multiple incidents of gift card tampering at various retail locations in Amarillo.
The suspects, identified as Brusli Romero Bejarano (28) and John Giraldo-Cortes (33), were arrested and booked into the Potter County Detention Center for Fraudulent Use/Possession/Tampering with Gift Cards/Gift Card Packaging/Gift Card Data/Redemption Information (≥10 <50).
Both individuals are Colombian nationals and here illegally. Federal authorities have been notified.
This investigation is ongoing.
