$3,000 loss: Lincoln gaming stores become victims of credit card scam

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Two Lincoln trading card and gaming stores were robbed unusually.

Two people made purchases totaling more than $3,000, but left the owners empty-handed.

“This is the first time in five years this has happened, but it is unfortunate,” said the owner of Collective 365, Chris Dunning.

Every card tells a story, but this one comes with a lesson no business owner wants to learn the hard way.

“There were a few indications that maybe something was a little off; they weren’t pronouncing cards by the correct name, and we’re like, that seems kinda strange,” Dunning said.

He said two people — a man and a woman — made a large purchase using a credit card: One for $1,700 and the other for $1,300.

After leaving the store, police believe the couple convinced their credit card company that the purchase didn’t occur.

So, they were not charged, and Dunning did not get paid.

In fact, two days later, he received a notification that the bank had reserved the charge, and the product was long gone.

“It makes you hesitant a little bit on if you have somebody coming in looking to spend a lot of money, now you’re always gonna have that in the back of your mind, ‘Is this gonna be charged back to me?'” Dunning said.

And a few steps away, Kickback Gaming was scammed by the same couple moments later.

“I was at home, got the email, and just felt immediate anger,” said the owner of Kickback Gaming, Richard Black.

Police said the same two people are being linked to similar scams in both Lincoln and Omaha — targeting small, locally owned shops that handle high-value items.

Both Dunning and Black said they built their businesses for the community, and that’s exactly who they’ll keep striving for.

“Despite this unfortunate incident, we have so much respect for everyone who comes in.”