2 Provo arrests linked to fake bar-code scam

PROVO — Two men arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of fraudulent credit card use may have other criminal activities to deal with — thousands of dollars worth — involving a phony bar code scam spanning the West Coast.

The men allegedly printed UPC codes reflecting lower prices and attached them to products in a store. They would buy the product at the lower price, then remove the fake code and return the product to the store for credit, according to a police report filed in 4th District Court. The report states the men would then use the store credit to purchase other items — almost $10,000 from Utah County stores, including a Provo Home Depot.

Home Depot employees were unable to comment on specifics of the case, and corporate officials left comments about the continuing investigation in the hands of law enforcement.

"We're working with local authorities and defer questioning to them," said Kathryn Gallagher, spokeswoman for Home Depot.

It appears Utah wasn't the only state hit. Law enforcement officials in Oregon have contacted Provo about having the two men extradited for charges up north, said Provo Police Capt. Rick Healey. There may be as many as nine states involved and hundreds of separate cases.

According to the police report, store security reported that one of the men had allegedly racked up as much as $120,000 in suspected fraud from Home Depot stores alone.

The two, who told police they lived in Mexico, were planning to return to that country the night they were arrested and are considered flight risks. Both are in jail and will have a first appearance in 4th District Court next week.

The two men were spotted Tuesday by Provo Home Depot security. They were reportedly seen earlier that day at the American Fork Home Depot, according to the police report.

The two men allegedly purchased items using a fraudulent credit card, left the store, then were stopped by a Provo officer. Upon searching the car, the officer found a black carry-all containing sheets of UPC codes and paper to print more. There was also merchandise from Home Depot, as well as products from other stores including Lowe's and Wal-Mart, and receipts which showed refunds had been given.

There were also maps of large cities, such as Denver, with the Lowe's stores marked, according to police documents. Both men allegedly had multiple ID cards and multiple store credit cards.