Money Laundering??

[JHZR2]

Was at a convenience store/gas station today, and was in the store grabbing a beverage. The line was really long, and as I was walking over, another cashier opened up. The guy who was second last in line (the last guy was checking out) got behind me, but I thought it was a nice move to let him go in front.

He ended up making ten transactions. Each one had some food item (a slim Jim or a red bull), and then a $50 gift card. I noted after the first or second time that he was paying for each of these separately, using the SAME GIFT card. I could tell because it was pulled from his wallet and put back the same each time, and had a distinguishing mark and handwriting on it.

So he was buying gift cards, with a gift card, on different transactions. $50 each time.

Just struck me as odd. Sure, I get it, don't assume anything, he could just be buying cards for presents or something... But if so, why not buy them all at once? He was throwing away the receipts as they were produced, which was also odd...

Money laundering?

This was in MD, outside of DC.

 

[RhondaHonda]

While I agree that it is odd I would think he'd be buying gift cards with cash, not another gift card if he was laundering money.

I'm more inclined to believe the main gift card was stolen and he was trying to get the money transferred onto new, smaller gift cards before the real owner realized their $500 gift card is missing and try to lock it from further use.

 

[KGMtech]

Could he be paying temporary immigrant workers who don't want to have cheques and paper trails?

It is quite strange, and he made you watch it all because you tried to be a nice guy - no good deed goes unpunished - again!

 

[Skid]

There's probably a rewards thing per transaction.

 

[OneEyeJack]

+1 Stolen gift card. For whatever reason he was keeping each hit under $100. I'd bet that if you looked into it there is some kid of tracking threshold on gift cards per transaction.

I have used gift cards like traveler's checks to reduce the risk of carrying larger amounts of cash.

 

[buster]

Gift card ML usually involves buying a lot of gift cards from multiple places, using cash, then paying off bills or buying money orders with the gift cards.

 

[NMBurb02]

I suspect he was paying with an EBT/food stamps card, hence the inclusion of the food items.

 

[demarpaint]

Maybe he was shopping for friends and wanted separate invoices for each person, and he wanted to turn the gift card into cash. That is also a possibility.......

 

[Nick1994]

Probably a stolen card and wanted to buy his own cards so he can use them as he pleases

 

[Alfred_B]

It's not money laundering, that's for sure.

As for what is going on, it probably is a very benign situation that our minds cannot think because we always suspect foul play.

 

[The_Jeff]

Maybe there's some sort of "slickdeal" where you can get $50 gift cards for $40 but the cards expire in a week. Unless you buy another gift card.

Maybe the cards are for his "smurfs" so they can buy cold medicine and lithium batteries to make meth.

 

[Wolf359]

Yeah, look up manufactured spending. Involves churning gift cards because of the rebates, discounts involved.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
I suspect he was paying with an EBT/food stamps card, hence the inclusion of the food items.


+1 He had several hundred $$ that had to be spent on food items.

 

[KzMitch]

Should've just asked him.
What's he gonna do, stab you?

People in public ask me dumb questions almost daily.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
+1 Stolen gift card. For whatever reason he was keeping each hit under $100. I'd bet that if you looked into it there is some kid of tracking threshold on gift cards per transaction.

+2 on stolen gift card.


Originally Posted By: JHZR2
He ended up making ten transactions. Each one had some food item (a slim Jim or a red bull), and then a $50 gift card. I noted after the first or second time that he was paying for each of these separately, using the SAME GIFT card.

He was throwing away the receipts as they were produced, which was also odd...
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Maybe he was shopping for friends and wanted separate invoices for each person, and he wanted to turn the gift card into cash. That is also a possibility.......

He didn't keep receipts/invoices.

I don't know what was really wrong, but I think the most likely was stolen gift card was used in these transactions.

 

[HerrStig]

Dope dealers obtain EBT cards at a discount from the dopers on welfare, in return for dope or cash.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Dope dealers obtain EBT cards at a discount from the dopers on welfare, in return for dope or cash.


This. You see this a LOT at many gas station mini marts although I wouldn't be surprised if the owner of the station isn't in on this and allowing it knowingly getting a kickback from the dealers.

I would say it is a loose form of racketeering and or organized crime.

You could call the state bureau of investigation and make an anon tip. It would be interesting to see the sting go down if you pass by the shady place regularly.

 

[cat843]

With money laundering you have cash and want to end up with a bank check.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

None of your business what he does with his money.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
None of your business what he does with his money.
This is funny coming from a guy who has no problem telling others how they should use their vehicles.