UDATE: "I was just scammed out of $2500 worth of Sport Chek gift cards. Is there anything I can do?"

This is an update regarding my thread last Sunday since I promised I would provide updates as I learn more. That thread can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceCanada/comments/a4ow6f/i_was_just_scammed_out_of_2500_worth_of_sport/?sort=new

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So Sport Chek is not willing to help at all and are saying that once gift cards have been activated it is no longer their responsibility, even though this is because of a security flaw on their end. I mean, the gift card numbers are clearly printed on the receipt itself so I don't know how they are claiming zero responsibility when they did not do enough to protect my gift cards. I still don't get how just the GC number itself was enough for a scammer to use $1150 worth of funds without the store raising any eyebrows. The scammer left the store less than 1 minute before the Sport Chek employee called them to inform them of the transactions. They told me my only recourse is filing a police report and then they can cooperate with LE to provide CCTV footage and other info.

The local police say this case is way above their pay grade since the transactions took place in Surrey, BC and the fraud is of a decent amount. They told me I have to contact RCMP Fraud division to get them to investigate (and that division is only open Mon-Fri so I have to still contact them). I still filed a police report nonetheless.

I spoke to RSA (AMEX purchase protection insurance provider) and they said unfortunately gift cards are specifically excluded from the insurance so they can't do anything. I asked if it's possible to ask for an exception or ask a higher department but they said for gift cards there is nothing they can do. They recommended speaking to AMEX directly and see if they can do anything. I spoke to AMEX and they opened a dispute but I don't think it will likely result in anything.

Looks like I am SOL and this will have to be a very expensive lesson learned, just in time for Christmas :/

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Does anyone know if there are ANY other options I could pursue in this case? Is there any arbitrator/ombudsman that can decide whether Sport Chek should bare any responsibility? Are there any other government agencies or departments are Sport Chek/Canadian Tire that I could potentially contact? I have already spoke with "Tier 1" at Sport Chek.

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I compiled a 'report' with a full statement, pictures of the gift cards still in packaging with PIN codes unscratched, all receipts including the Canadian Tire purchase receipts and Sport Chek receipts from combining the cards, the email conversation with Sport Chek, the text messages with the scammer, and a message from Kijiji stating willingness to provide IP address info. However, I don't know who to provide this information to. Local police said they won't be able to contact anyone in Surrey so they said to hold onto the evidence. Maybe I can provide that info to RCMP.

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Anyways, just thought I would provide an update for anyone else that may be in a similar situation or in general to help protect people in the future.