NORFOLK, VA – A decade-long scheme to defraud unsuspecting gas station customers across the United States has landed seven men in federal court, facing serious racketeering and money laundering charges. An indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia details a sophisticated operation that allegedly siphoned credit and debit card data from gas pumps nationwide.
The ringleader, Eduardo Rodriguez, also known as Ogbe Bara, 40, of Fort Myers, Florida, allegedly orchestrated the installation of skimming devices on gas pumps. From 2014 to April 2024, the operation reportedly harvested sensitive financial information from customers, then used that data to create fraudulent cards. These cards were then employed to purchase gift cards, electronics, and to make ATM withdrawals and cashback purchases, essentially turning every fill-up into a potential payday for the criminals.
The indictment names six additional defendants allegedly involved in the conspiracy: Idalberto Rivero, also known as El Monstro, El Mostro, and Monster, 53, of Miami; Anyelo Jesus Muino Ayala, also known as Justin Bieber, 26, of Miami; Pedro Raul Zequeira Alvarez, also known as Yery Yery, 33, of Miami; Raul Ferrao Pons, also known as Rauli and Ninja, 32, of Miami; Jorge Enrique Fonseca Vazquez, also known as Ogberoso, 32, of Miami; and Luis Gustavo Diaz, also known as Ogberdi, 39, of Miami. The group also allegedly utilized “fences” to offload stolen goods for quick cash, further obscuring the illicit proceeds.
Federal prosecutors allege the defendants engaged in a litany of crimes beyond the initial skimming – access device fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and the interstate transportation of stolen goods. This wasn’t a simple smash-and-grab; it was a calculated, multi-state criminal enterprise designed to maximize profit at the expense of everyday consumers. The scope of the operation suggests a level of planning and coordination rarely seen in garden-variety fraud cases.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Brian Dugan, announced the charges. Each of the seven defendants faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on both the RICO conspiracy count and the money laundering conspiracy count – a significant threat, but a long road to justice for the victims.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between multiple federal and state agencies including the FBI (Norfolk, Miami, Tampa, New York, and Albany Field Offices, and Ft. Myers Resident Agency), U.S. Secret Service, Virginia State Police, and local law enforcement, underscores the increasing sophistication of these types of crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen S. Taylor and Clayton D. LaForge, along with Trial Attorney Ben Tonkin, are leading the prosecution. An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Case No. 2:24-cr-28 is available for review on PACER.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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