Man Arrested in Cathedral City for $2 Million Gift Card Fraud

Authorities in Riverside County have arrested a Los Angeles area man accused of orchestrating a major gift card fraud operation targeting the Coachella Valley.

Ruhai Lee, 36, was taken into custody in Cathedral City without incident. During a search of his vehicle, deputies discovered more than 9,000 fraudulent gift cards with a combined estimated value exceeding $2 million.

Lee has been booked into the Jon Benoit Detention Center on multiple felony charges. Investigators say the case is ongoing as they continue to determine the full scope of the scheme and whether additional individuals may be involved.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the fraud to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. The arrest underscores law enforcement’s commitment to combating financial crimes that impact local businesses and consumers in the Coachella Valley.