Three people have been charged with an elaborate scheme that illegally turned stolen goods into gift cards, and gift cards into cash.

Police say someone would return stolen merchandise to a store with no receipt. Instead of a full refund, the store would issue a gift card, instead.

Then the person would purchase real merchandise from the store using their gift cards; but the person would also use their debit card for part of the purchase.

Then the person would come back to the store yet again to return the item with the receipt. The store would then refund the full purchase to the debit card.

Police say the same people are accused of scamming a number of businesses in Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Almost $55,000 was stolen.

Police have charged a 56-year-old man, a 41-year-old woman, and a 17-year-old girl with fraud.