: Fraudsters use the cards to buy popular electronics (like iPads or iPhones) that can be easily resold for nearly 95% of their retail value.
: Stolen gift cards are typically used or resold on the same day they are purchased to stay ahead of bank disputes and chargebacks. Monetization and Resale
Once a gift card is acquired with stolen funds, it is converted into "clean" money through: buying gift cards with stolen credit cards
: Scammers make a purchase with a stolen credit card and then return the item, requesting the refund be placed on a gift card. This converts the stolen credit line into a legitimate, untraceable store credit.
: Fraudsters use stolen credentials to buy digital gift cards. They often use bots or "bulk-buy" tactics to obtain as many cards as possible before the stolen credit card is flagged and blocked. : Fraudsters use the cards to buy popular
Criminals use stolen credit card data to purchase gift cards through several specific methods:
: Cards are sold on marketplaces or the dark web at a discount (often 60–80% of face value) for cryptocurrency or cash. This converts the stolen credit line into a
: Some use gift cards to make in-app purchases within their own apps or donate to specific streamers, eventually receiving a clean payout from the platform. Impact and Statistics