August 24, 2009
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News: CC Theft Ring Loses Fuel
The cost of fuel has significantly increased over the past years, however, for some credit cardholders, the cost is extraordinary. A master minded scheme cost credit card customers and several businesses nearly $750,000. Several law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency partnered together to uncover a card theft ring that defrauded several fuel retailers including Wal-Mart, Murphy Oil and several independent gas station owners. The 18 month investigation has lead to the warrants of 14 individuals for credit card fraud and fuel theft.
The ring leaders illegally acquired the credit card numbers from unsuspecting Internet consumers by using a skimming device. The criminals used the stolen information to encode counterfeit gift cards, credit cards, and government documents such as driver's licenses and U.S. Department of Homeland Security work authorization cards. The thieves then used the fraudulent credit cards to purchase large quantities of fuel and fuel tanks. They also purchased several high ticket items such as trucks, speedboats, trailers, and jet skis. The criminals illegally transported approximately 700 gallons of fuel at one time in their makeshift fuel tanks and trucks which jeopardized the safety of unsuspecting travelers.
Eleven of the fourteen credit card thieves appeared in U.S. District Federal Count in West Palm Beach, Florida and pleaded guilty to access device fraud and include Javier Alonso-Gomez, Felix Medero Garcia, Juan Edel Dominguez, Alcides Cabrera Toledo, Yoanky Lopez Jorge, Damian Luna Rodriguez, Felix Armas Luna, Oscar Montiel Martinez, Yunier Garcia Olivera, Osmany Garcia Olivera, and Daniel Yanes Hernandez. All remain in jail and face a maximum of 15 years in prison. Two other criminals, Eldis Julian Diaz and Ricardo Ruiz appeared in a separate hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Marra and have also pleaded guilty to access device fraud. The last of the thieves, Felix Montesino-Castillo has been indicted and has fled. Officials continue to search for him.