🔥 Gündem Calgary Police Lay Charges in Costco Scam Involving Over $30K Fraud

Charges Laid in Calgary Costco Fraud Scheme

Two individuals in Calgary, Alberta, are facing a significant number of charges following a months-long fraud scheme that targeted multiple Costco stores in the area, resulting in losses exceeding $30,000 ¹³⁶. The Calgary Police Service announced these charges on August 24, 2026 ³.

Details of the Charges and Allegations

The two individuals, a man and a woman, are collectively facing 189 charges ³⁶. While specific charge details like "theft over $5,000" or "fraud over $5,000" are implied by the reported monetary loss, the primary method of the alleged fraud involved the use of "doctored barcodes" ⁶. This suggests charges related to:

• Fraud: Deceiving the stores to obtain goods or services unlawfully. Given the scale, this would likely be "fraud over $5,000."
• Theft: Illegally taking property belonging to Costco.
• Possession of Stolen Property: If the goods obtained were then resold or possessed.
• Uttering Forged Documents: If the doctored barcodes are considered forged documents used in the commission of a crime.
• Conspiracy to Commit Fraud/Theft: If there is evidence they planned and executed the scheme together.

The investigation by the Calgary Police Service covered fraudulent activities that occurred over approximately three months ¹. The charges stem from reports made by several Costco locations within Calgary ¹³.

Broader Context of Costco Scams

While this specific case involved doctored barcodes, Costco, like many large retailers, is frequently targeted by various types of scams. These can range from:

• Membership Scams: Phishing attempts claiming a Costco membership has expired or offering fake rewards to obtain personal information ⁷.
• Gas Station Scams: Individuals at Costco gas stations requesting to use another member's card, potentially to use stolen credit cards ⁵.

The Calgary incident highlights the ongoing challenges retailers face in combating sophisticated fraud schemes. The substantial number of charges in this case underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating such offenses.