RICHMOND, Va.–Seven men have been indicted in theEastern District of Virginia and charged with racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with their alleged participation in a large-scale gas pump skimming device organization.
According to court documents, the defendants, led by Eduardo Rodriguez, also known as Ogbe Bara, 40, of Fort Myers, Fla., allegedly installed skimming devices on gas pumps throughout the United States to fraudulently collect credit and debit card information from customers.
“From 2014 to April 2024, they allegedly used the stolen card data to create fraudulent credit and debit cards, which they used to purchase items including gift cards and electronics, to make ATM withdrawals, and to make cashback purchases from retail stores,” the Department of Justice said. “Members and associates of the organization also used ‘fences’ to sell the illegally obtained items for cash. The defendants also allegedly engaged in acts involving access device fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and the sale and receipt of stolen goods.
Additional Defendants
In addition to Rodriguez, other defendants named in the indictment include:
- Idalberto Rivero, also known as El Monstro, El Mostro, and Monster, 53, of Miami
- Anyelo Jesus Muino Ayala, also known as Justin Bieber, 26, of Miami
- Pedro Raul Zequeira Alvarez, also known as Yery Yery, 33, of Miami
- Raul Ferrao Pons, also known as Rauli and Ninja, 32, of Miami
- Jorge Enrique Fonseca Vazquez, also known as Ogberoso, 32, of Miami
- Luis Gustavo Diaz, also known as Ogberdi, 39, of Miami
The defendants are charged with one count of RICO conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.
The Prosecutors
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Brian Dugan of the FBI Norfolk Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Norfolk, Miami, Tampa, New York, and Albany Field Offices and Ft. Myers Resident Agency; U.S. Secret Service; Virginia State Police; Northampton County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office; Norfolk Police Department; and Mooresville (North Carolina) Police Department are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Ben Tonkin of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen S. Taylor and Clayton D. LaForge for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida, the District of New Jersey, and the Southern District of New York.
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