TAMPA, FL – Andre Moore, 37, of Miami, is headed to federal prison for eight years after pleading guilty to a brazen credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme that ripped off retailers to the tune of $650,000. U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber handed down the sentence today, ordering Moore to also pay $650,145.03 in restitution and forfeit $3,110.55 seized as proceeds of the crime.
Between September 2019 and May 2020, Moore systematically stole the identities of over 100 victims. He then leveraged those stolen identities to make fraudulent purchases at stores across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Moore wasn’t just swiping cards; he was actively creating and reactivating fraudulent accounts. Court documents reveal he used fake driver’s licenses and identification cards to open new store credit card accounts and revive dormant ones, demonstrating a calculated level of sophistication.
What’s particularly galling is the timing of Moore’s scheme. He clearly exploited the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, capitalizing on lockdowns and the resulting scarcity of essential goods. Thousands of dollars in purchases were made while communities were reeling, and Moore allegedly targeted items that were in high demand, adding insult to injury for already stressed consumers. He saw opportunity in crisis, and he ruthlessly pursued it.
The investigation, led by the U.S. Secret Service alongside the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Winter Park Police Department, uncovered a pattern of deception that extended beyond the financial realm. Moore was already living under a false identity when federal agents apprehended him. Rather than cooperate, he doubled down on the lies, providing a bogus name and identity to both the agents and the court itself. This blatant disregard for the law only compounded his offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer L. Peresie and Suzanne C. Nebesky successfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Moore will answer for his crimes. The eight-year sentence sends a clear message: identity theft and large-scale fraud will not be tolerated, particularly when perpetrators deliberately prey on vulnerable situations like a global pandemic.
The forfeiture of $3,110.55 is a small victory for the victims, but the $650,145.03 in restitution ordered by the court represents a significant attempt to make them whole. However, recovering those funds will likely prove difficult, and the damage to the victims’ credit and peace of mind is immeasurable. Moore’s actions demonstrate the devastating impact of financial crime on individuals and the importance of robust law enforcement efforts to combat it.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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