Manatee credit card fraud leads to bust of skimming operation, deputies say
An investigation into a Manatee County man’s stolen fuel card information led to an arrest in a large-scale credit card skimming operation across the Tampa Bay area.
Deputies said they arrested Juan Miguel Acosta Ramos after detectives traced the stolen card information to his home, where they recovered more than 100 counterfeit cards, as well as skimming devices and equipment used to manufacture fraudulent cards, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Ramos, 32, faces charges of unlawful use of a credit card, trafficking in counterfeit cards, possession of a skimming device, destruction of evidence and possession of credit card making materials, according to the sheriff’s office.
Manatee fraud case leads to credit card skimmer arrest, deputies say
Detectives said the investigation began in June after they learned a Manatee County victim’s fleet fuel card information had been stolen and used to make unauthorized diesel fuel purchases at gas stations in Hillsborough County.
Investigators later determined the card information had been stolen using a skimming device installed on an unknown gas pump.
Surveillance video from a Wawa on East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa showed a suspect using the stolen account information to purchase about $200 worth of diesel fuel and pumping it into a large fuel tank mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, according to investigators. Detectives said a second attempt at a gas station in Gibsonton about a week later was declined.
Detectives identified the truck as a blue Ford F-250 registered to Ramos and obtained a search warrant for his Apollo Beach home, according to the sheriff’s office.
Search finds credit card scam equipment, deputies say
During a search conducted with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, detectives said they recovered 154 counterfeit credit cards cards, dozens of skimming devices, PIN pad overlays, magnetic stripe readers and writers, blank plastic cards, card encoders and other equipment used to manufacture counterfeit cards.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said investigators also recovered ledgers documenting the operation and additional counterfeit cards that Ramos allegedly tried to destroy by flushing them down a toilet.
Investigators also determined Ramos used the stolen Fleet Card Blue account information at a 7-Eleven on U.S. 301 North in Parrish. Detectives said he completed 17 fraudulent diesel fuel purchases throughout the Tampa Bay area, totaling more than $4,000.
Tampa Bay case part of statewide skimming investigation
Detectives are coordinating with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is conducting a statewide investigation into fuel pump skimming devices.
The investigation remains active, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said Ramos is expected to face additional charges related to the fraudulent use of credit cards and personal identification information.
Ramos remains held without bond at the Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County, according to the sheriff’s office.
