Tampa Man Sentenced to 5+ Years for Credit Card Fraud

A 34-year-old Tampa man has been sentenced to five years and ten months in federal prison for his role in a massive credit card fraud scheme. Ricardo Martinez, 34, was handed down the sentence by U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. after pleading guilty to charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft on July 29, 2014.

According to court documents, Martinez, along with others, obtained stolen credit card numbers that were then used to create counterfeit or cloned credit cards. The true owners of the credit card accounts remained in possession of the real credit cards, so they were not known to be stolen or reported as stolen.

The group, led by Martinez, made numerous purchases at area Wal-Mart locations, including gift cards. They also used the cloned credit cards to obtain cash advances from the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.

The investigation into Martinez’s scheme was a joint effort between the United States Secret Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Clearwater Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, and the Seminole Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.

Martinez was ordered to pay restitution to the companies defrauded by his scheme, but the exact amount was not disclosed. The case serves as a reminder of the growing threat of credit card fraud and the importance of protecting one’s personal and financial information.

The sentence handed down to Martinez is a significant blow to the credit card fraud underworld, but it is unlikely to be the last. Credit card fraud remains a major problem in the United States, with billions of dollars stolen each year.

Martinez’s case is a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in credit card fraud. As the case demonstrates, those caught engaging in the crime can face significant prison time and financial penalties.

As the investigation into Martinez’s scheme continues, it is clear that credit card fraud is a complex issue that requires a concerted effort from law enforcement and the public to combat.

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