Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Website Available With Information for Potential Victims of Credit Card Skimming Scheme
MADISON, WIS. — Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 29, 2017, Alejandro Arias-Perez, 29, Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of device making equipment. There is a website with information for those who believe they may the victims of the defendant’s credit card theft scheme. Information on the scheme and the website is provided below.
The government’s investigation into Arias-Perez revealed that from August to September 2016, Arias-Perez was involved in a credit card skimming scheme involving gas stations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota, including:
- On August 12, 2016, Arias-Perez placed a skimming device inside a gas pump at the Shell gas station at 4821 East Washington Avenue in Madison. The skimmer was discovered on August 23, 2016. A forensic analysis of the skimmer revealed that it contained 382 credit or debit card numbers.
- On August 16, 2016, police officers discovered a skimmer inside a gas pump at a Super America gas station in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The investigation revealed that Arias-Perez likely placed the skimmer in the gas pump between August 9 and August 16, 2016. A forensic analysis of the skimmer revealed that it contained 269 credit or debit card numbers.
- On September 1, 2016, Madison police officers discovered a skimmer placed inside a gas pump at the BP gas station located at 318 South Park Street. The investigation revealed that Arias-Perez placed the skimmer inside of the pump between August 9 and August 12, 2016. A forensic analysis of the skimmer revealed that it contained 547 credit or debit card numbers.
Credit card account holders and financial institutions who believe they may be potential victims of Arias-Perez’s credit card theft scheme will find additional information about this case at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/case/united-states-v-alejandro-arias-perez-case-no-17-r-00040. Potential victims who can document direct and proximate harm, including financial loss suffered as a result of the charged conduct, may complete a “Declaration of Loss” and/or a “Victim Impact Statement” which can be found on the above site, and return them to the United States Attorney’s Office for determination of their crime victims’ rights status. Victims of this crime may be entitled to restitution.
On April 27, 2017, a search warrant was executed at Arias-Perez’s residence in Miami. During the search, agents located various electronic devices and equipment used for stealing credit card information. Based on a forensic analysis of the electronic equipment recovered from Arias-Perez’s residence and the recovered skimmers in the case, investigators have determined that Arias-Perez is responsible for the theft of approximately 57,000 credit card numbers.
Arias-Perez will be sentenced on April 3, 2018.