NORFOLK, Va. – A significant federal indictment has been unveiled by authorities in the Eastern District of Virginia, implicating seven individuals in a sophisticated network of gas pump skimming operations that stretched across the United States. The charges encompass racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
Eduardo Rodriguez, 40, of Fort Myers, Florida, identified as the ringleader, and his co-defendants are accused of installing skimming devices at gas stations to illegally gather credit and debit card details from unsuspecting customers. This scheme, which ran from 2014 to April 2024, involved the creation of counterfeit cards used to procure electronics, gift cards, and other items, as well as to withdraw cash from ATMs and make cashback purchases at various retail locations.
The indictment details the elaborate operations of the group, which utilized “fences” to convert stolen goods into cash. The other individuals charged alongside Rodriguez include:
- Idalberto Rivero, 53, of Miami, also known as El Monstro, El Mostro, and Monster.
- Anyelo Jesus Muino Ayala, 26, of Miami, also known as Justin Bieber.
- Pedro Raul Zequeira Alvarez, 33, of Miami, also known as Yery Yery.
- Raul Ferrao Pons, 32, of Miami, also known as Rauli and Ninja.
- Jorge Enrique Fonseca Vazquez, 32, of Miami, also known as Ogberoso.
- Luis Gustavo Diaz, 39, of Miami, also known as Ogberdi
.Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count if convicted, reflecting the severity of the charges which include access device fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and the sale and receipt of stolen goods.