Six Cuban Nationals Indicted for Gas Pump Skimming Scheme

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging six southern Florida men for their respective roles in a bank fraud and aggravated identity theft conspiracy.

According to the indictment, the defendants, all of whom are Cuban nationals, placed skimming devices on gas pumps located in the Eastern District of Virginia. The skimming devices were capable of recording the credit and debit card numbers, along with their PINs, of the customers that used their cards at the gas pumps. In April and May 2018, using the stolen card information, the defendants traveled between Harris Teeter store locations, among other destinations, to withdraw money from the victims’ bank accounts and purchase prepaid debit cards. 

Below is a table which lists the name, age, hometown of each defendant. They have all been charged with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi is prosecuting the case.

The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office has provided significant and ongoing assistance with the investigation.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-109.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.