Durham Regional Police have laid multiple charges against a 49-year-old man following the discovery of thousands of dollars in tampered gift cards at a grocery store in Oshawa.
Fraud in Progress at Gibb Street Superstore
On Tuesday, December 18, 2025, officers were called to the Real Canadian Superstore at 481 Gibb Street for a report of a fraud in progress. According to police, loss prevention officials at the store contacted them after observing a male suspect allegedly taking altered gift cards from his pockets and placing them on shelves among legitimate cards.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the man and his vehicle uncovered a large quantity of tampered gift cards for numerous popular retailers and services.
Extensive List of Targeted Retailers
The fraudulent cards seized by police would have had a potential value of over $5,000 if purchased and activated by the public. The brands targeted in this scheme included:
- LCBO
- Home Depot
- Petro Canada
- Canadian Tire
- Roots
- The Keg
- Amazon
- Mastercard
- Ultimate Dining
Police have identified the accused as Roman Tryhubets, a 49-year-old man described as being from Ukraine. He faces serious charges including fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and breach of recognizance.
How the Gift Card Scam Works
Durham police provided details on the two primary methods criminals use to execute this type of fraud after stealing or manipulating cards from store displays.
In the first method, scammers record the gift card numbers and PINs from the cards while they are still on the rack. They then reseal the packaging to make it appear untouched and return the cards to the shelf.
The second technique involves replacing the legitimate barcodes on gift cards with fraudulent ones. The packaging is again carefully resealed before the cards are placed back for sale.
In both scenarios, unsuspecting customers purchase the cards, which appear normal. However, once the card is activated at the checkout, the funds are immediately drained by the criminals using the stolen details or the swapped barcode. The victim is left with a worthless card.
Authorities are urging the public to be vigilant when purchasing gift cards. They recommend inspecting the packaging for any signs of tampering, such as scratches on the barcode or PIN area, or packaging that appears to have been resealed.
Anyone with information about this incident or similar frauds is asked to contact Detective Constable Azzano of the Durham Regional Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520, extension 5364.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
