Apple gift card guts were switched out. new scam

I purchased an Apple gift card for 150.00 at Walgreens. Daughter tried to use but kept saying invalid. Went back to Walgreens but they do not do refunds for gift cards on the receipt. Called Apple said go back to Walgreens. Did. Called Apple back while in the store. Finally got someone that helped. Told me to sign in to apple support and upload pictures of receipt and card guts and outside. Did that. Said I would get a check in the mail in 4-6 weeks. Also asked for police report did that and also sent in.

Called after 4 weeks and again at 6 they said it was processing and now it’s been 3 months. So called again and was told they don’t send the money back the supervisor was wrong. Luckily the previous supervisor froze the card with the 150 so it could not be gotten by the scammers who switched out the guts. So money is there but now I am being told there is no check processing. Been lied to three times so far and Apple supervisor now says she will make a complaint as of yesterday. They have the money but not giving it to me.

I was in the military for 28 years and Apple seems to be worse than the hurry up and wait motto. If the money is still on the card and they froze the funds, they have the receipts and the card I bought with pictures why can’t I get the money back. They are just keeping it.

So far I have spent 18 hours on the phone with Apple went to police station to file a police report and now I am being told there is no check coming.

what else can I do besides file a small claims suit. This is ridiculous.