Three women have been arrested at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee after their involvement in a gift card scam was discovered. The incident unfolded when airport police were alerted to suspicious activity by a ghost bag. The bag had arrived on a Southwest Airlines flight without anyone accompanying it, and a woman attempted to claim it. However, her identity did not match the owner of the tag, so she left.
Airport police conducted a search of the bag and found several items associated with fraudulent activity, including clothes with tags, a forged Pennsylvania driver’s license, and a stolen credit card. Later, the woman returned to try and claim the bag again, and this time she was accompanied by two other women in a vehicle.
Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered 302 gift cards from 11 different retailers with a total value of $20,450. They also found receipts and merchandise from four retailers worth $9,150. The women claimed that none of the items in the car belonged to them.
After obtaining consent, police searched the suspects’ phones and found evidence of stolen credit card information and conversations about criminal activity. The police also revealed how the scam operated. The women would enter retailers and purchase eight gift cards at a time using stolen credit card information. They would then return the items to different locations in exchange for cash and store credit.
The three women, identified as 34-year-old Johniesha Jones from California, 22-year-old Cherish Lynn Harris, and 30-year-old Torryiel Griggs, now face charges of theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. Harris and Griggs also face a criminal simulation charge. Jones, who went into the airport to retrieve the bag, has additional charges of criminal impersonation and being a fugitive from justice.
The suspects are currently in custody at the Davidson County Jail, with bond amounts set at $100,000 for Harris and Griggs and $160,000 for Jones.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of airport security measures and the vigilance of airport police. It also highlights the ongoing challenges posed by scammers who employ various tactics to commit fraudulent activities. Authorities continue to investigate the case and work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of travelers passing through Nashville International Airport.
