Halton Regional Police Service has arrested two men from Mississauga after a thorough investigation into a large gift card fraud scheme that spanned several areas in Ontario.
The inquiry started in December 2025 when unusual behavior was noticed at a Walmart Supercentre in Burlington. Authorities allege that one suspect was caught placing compromised gift cards on display racks before stealing additional cards and leaving without buying anything. Investigators claim the scam involved tampered gift cards being activated by unsuspecting customers, allowing the suspects to cash them out quickly before the rightful owners could use them.
In March 2026, the HRPS Financial Crimes Unit launched “Project Reload” after connecting the suspect to an elaborate fraud network active throughout Halton, Hamilton, Toronto, Peel, Niagara, Durham, York, Barrie, Guelph, Brantford, and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Police conducted surveillance and later seized several fraudulent gift cards that were tracked for evidence. Investigators confirmed that numerous cards were redeemed for various products.
On May 12, 2026, investigators executed three Criminal Code search warrants in Mississauga. This operation led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of thousands of fraudulent gift cards along with other items related to their activities.
The items taken included a 2012 BMW X3, around 5,700 prepaid gift cards totaling over $1 million in potential losses, counterfeit money, electronics, luxury goods, cigarettes, alcohol, pellet guns, and tools believed to be used for tampering with and creating gift cards.
Giorgi Khandolishvili, aged 48, and Jevgenij Piskunov, aged 40-both from Mississauga-are facing several charges including fraud over $5,000, forgery, possession of forged documents and property obtained through crime as well as possessing tools for forgery. Both individuals have been released under certain conditions and are expected to appear in court in Milton at a future date.
Halton police continue their investigation and urge anyone with information to reach out to the HRPS Financial Crimes Unit at 905-825-4777. Anonymous tips can also be provided through Halton Crime Stoppers or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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