Cuban National Convicted for his Role in $200k Credit Card Fraud Scheme

McALLEN, Texas – Alexis Acosta-Guzman, 40, a Cuban citizen who was residing in McAllen, has been convicted of trafficking in access devices, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

From March 2013 through August 2015, Acosta-Guzman wired thousands of dollars in funds to individuals in China, Russia and the Ukraine. In return, he received more than 1,000 credit card numbers and other personal information that had been stolen from individuals in the United States. Acosta-Guzman transferred that information to others using various email accounts.

He and co-conspirators would then use special devices and the stolen information to create physical credit cards. They used the fraudulent credit cards to make purchases throughout Texas at different retailers and convenience stores.

As a result of the scheme, hundreds of people lost more than $211,000 for the fraudulent charges. Ultimately, the customers’ bank absorbed the losses. As part of his plea, Acosta-Guzman has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $211,311.15.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the plea and set sentencing for Jan. 14, 2016. At that time, Acosta-Guzman faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Secret Service, FBI and the McAllen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Lindenmuth and Joseph T. Leonard prosecuted the case.