3 sentenced in counterfeit credit card scheme
PITTSBURGH — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF) investigation culminated Tuesday in the sentencing of three Florida residents in federal court on a charge of conspiracy to commit identity theft.
Raul Perez, 38, sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with credit for time served, three years supervised release and restitution in the amount of $14,992.96; Alexis Delgado, 44, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with credit for time served, three years supervised release, restitution in the amount of $14,992.96, and a $5,000 fine; and, Leyanis Menendez, 38, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with credit for time served, three years supervised release, restitution in the amount of $14,992.96, and a $5,000 fine.
According to the information presented to the court, Raul Perez, Alexis Delgado, Leyanis Menendez and others conspired to manufacture and traffic-in counterfeit credits cards throughout the United States, which were used to purchase merchandise at stores nationwide, including the outlet stores in Gove City and Washington, PA, in June 2015.
“Incidents of credit card skimming, have reached epidemic proportions and consumers need to be very vigilant about any suspicious or unauthorized activity on their accounts,” said Marlon V. Miller, special agent in charge HSI Philadelphia. “These types of crimes not only result in major losses for financial institutions and merchants, but can cause a major disruption in consumers’ personal finances. HSI will continue to work closely with its federal and local law enforcement partners to target skimming schemes and the criminal syndicates that are behind them.”
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