The Halton Regional Police Service has charged two Mississauga men following a major investigation into an organized gift card fraud scheme operating across several Ontario jurisdictions.
The investigation began in December 2025 after suspicious activity was reported at a Walmart Supercentre in Burlington. Police allege a suspect was seen placing compromised gift cards onto store display racks before stealing additional cards and leaving without making a purchase. Investigators say the scheme involved tampered gift cards being activated by unsuspecting customers, allowing suspects to quickly redeem the funds before the legitimate purchasers could use them.
In March 2026, HRPS Financial Crimes Unit launched “Project Reload” after linking the suspect to a sophisticated fraud network operating throughout Halton, Hamilton, Toronto, Peel, Niagara, Durham, York, Barrie, Guelph, Brantford, and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Police conducted surveillance and later seized multiple fraudulent gift cards that were monitored for evidentiary purposes. Investigators confirmed several cards were later redeemed to purchase various goods.
On May 12, 2026, investigators executed three Criminal Code search warrants in Mississauga, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of thousands of fraudulent gift cards and other items linked to the operation.
Among the items seized were a 2012 BMW X3, approximately 5,700 prepaid gift cards representing more than $1 million in potential losses, counterfeit currency, electronics, luxury goods, cigarettes, alcohol, pellet firearms, and equipment allegedly used to tamper with and manufacture gift cards.
Giorgi Khandolishvili, 48, and Jevgenij Piskunov, 40, both of Mississauga, are facing multiple charges including fraud over $5,000, forgery, possession of forged documents, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of instruments for forgery. Both men were released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear in court in Milton at a later date.
Halton police are continuing the investigation and encourage anyone with information to contact the HRPS Financial Crimes Unit at 905-825-4777. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Halton Crime Stoppers or by calling 1-800-222-8477.