ORLANDO, FL – A pair of brothers are facing serious time after a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs using cloned credit cards unraveled, leading to a trove of stolen financial data discovered in their possession. Andy Teruel Colina (25, Miami) received a 5-year sentence, while his brother, Adrian Teruel (31, Orlando), will serve an additional 8 months on top of a pre-existing 12-month term for a supervised release violation.
The investigation began with suspicious activity flagged by the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG). A government credit card assigned to a VA vehicle at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Lake Nona was used for diesel fuel purchases that didn’t add up. Investigators found purchases exceeding the vehicle’s tank capacity and inconsistent odometer readings. Between March 7 and 14, 2020, the card was fraudulently used at multiple Orlando-area gas stations, racking up a total loss of $1,703.23. The VA confirmed the purchases were unauthorized and the card hadn’t been reported lost.
A joint investigation by the GSA-OIG and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) quickly zeroed in on a tow truck repeatedly fueled using the cloned card. Surveillance footage placed Andy Teruel Colina behind the wheel, using the fraudulent card to pay for diesel. The truck’s movements were tracked to numerous gas stations and an illegal fuel yard. Adrian Teruel was also caught on camera, using two counterfeit access devices to purchase fuel for the same tow truck on April 11, 2020.
A raid of Andy Teruel Colina’s residence turned up a disturbing collection of tools and stolen data. Agents found materials consistent with building a pin-hole camera – including camera circuit boards, gorilla glue, electrical tape, battery packs, and a screwdriver – used to skim credit card information at fuel pumps. They also recovered a credit card encoder, fuel pump barrel keys, and a stash of counterfeit gift cards loaded with stolen account numbers.
The scale of the operation was staggering. Investigators discovered over 2,400 individual names and associated credit or debit card account numbers on electronic devices seized from Colina’s home. Both brothers pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme: Andy Teruel Colina on August 26, 2022, to aggravated identity theft and multiple counts related to counterfeit access devices, and Adrian Teruel on August 16, 2022, to producing and using counterfeit access devices. The court ordered Colina to pay $1,703.23 in restitution and a $400 special assessment.
This case highlights the ongoing threat of credit card fraud and identity theft, and the dedication of the USSS and GSA-OIG to pursuing those who exploit government resources for personal gain. While the brothers are headed to prison, the investigation continues to determine the full extent of the compromised data and potential victims impacted by their criminal enterprise. The USSS and GSA-OIG Southeast and Caribbean Regional Investigations Office handled the investigation.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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