By Josh Mitchell
Editor
River Mississippi News
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — An alleged organized effort to install devices on gas pumps across the country to “fraudulently” collect credit and debit card information from customers is the subject of an indictment unsealed today in Virginia, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Seven defendants are charged with “racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.”
Federal authorities are calling it a “large-scale gas pump skimming device organization.”
It allegedly occurred over the decade from 2014 to 2024 and was led by Fort Myers, Fla.-man Eduardo Rodriguez, who is also called Ogbe Bara.
He’s 40, and he and other defendants allegedly used the pilfered credit and debit card information to make fake credit and debit cards, which they’re accused of using to buy gift cards and electronics and to make ATM withdrawals and “cashback purchases from retail stores,” DOJ officials charge.
In the performance of these alleged crimes, they are also accused of breaking other laws related to “device fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, interstate transportation of stolen goods and the sale and receipt of stolen goods,” federal authorities said in a Thursday press release.
Others charged in the indictment are from Miami and are listed as: Idalberto Rivero, also known as El Monstro, El Mostro, and Monster, 53; Anyelo Jesus Muino Ayala, also known as Justin Bieber, 26; Pedro Raul Zequeira Alvarez, also known as Yery Yery, 33; Raul Ferrao Pons, also known as Rauli and Ninja, 32; Jorge Enrique Fonseca Vazquez, also known as Ogberoso, 32; and Luis Gustavo Diaz, also known as Ogberdi, 39.
They face a total of 40 years in prison each.
