Seven individuals from Florida have been apprehended and charged with racketeer-influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy as well as money laundering for their involvement in a gas pump skimming device syndicate. Led by Eduardo Rodriguez, alias Ogbe Bara, aged 40 and hailing from Fort Myers, Florida, the organization orchestrated the installation of skimming devices on gas pumps across the United States, illicitly collecting credit and debit card information from unsuspecting customers.
Skimming devices, typically concealed on ATMs, gas pumps, and various point-of-sale terminals, function as insidious tools to extract credit and debit card details alongside personal identification numbers (PINs).
The accused purportedly utilized the pilfered credit card data to fabricate counterfeit credit and debit cards. These fraudulent cards were then deployed to procure gift cards and electronic gadgets, in addition to facilitating ATM withdrawals and cashback transactions at retail outlets.
Furthermore, members and affiliates of the organization purportedly collaborated with “fences” to vend the unlawfully acquired merchandise for monetary gain. “Fences,” also referred to as receivers or moving men, are individuals who purchase stolen items with the intention of reselling them at a profit.
Allegations against the group extend beyond credit card fraud, encompassing wire fraud, bank fraud, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and the trafficking of stolen property.
The defendants are indicted on one count each of RICO conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. If found guilty, they could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count, as announced by the Office of Public Affairs.
