Hill Hit With 32 Months for Debit Card Scam

PORTLAND, ME – A Massachusetts man is headed to federal prison after a brazen scheme involving stolen debit card numbers. Andre Hill, 25, was sentenced today to 32 months behind bars and a further 36 months of supervised release after pleading guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker delivered the sentence in Portland’s federal court. Hill was also ordered to cough up $13,842 in restitution to the victims of his theft, a small fraction of the damage he attempted. The guilty plea, entered on February 24, 2025, followed a probe that laid bare a calculated effort to exploit unsuspecting account holders.

Court records detail how, between January and February 2023, Hill systematically acquired and misused numerous debit card numbers without authorization. He wasn’t sticking to petty cash either. Hill loaded these stolen numbers into a digital wallet application on his phone, turning his device into a mobile fraud machine. Then, he hit the road.

The investigation revealed Hill traveled to Maine and other states, systematically targeting retail locations and post offices in the greater Portland area. He wasn’t just making small purchases. He attempted to run over $40,000 in fraudulent transactions using the compromised debit card numbers, requesting cash back and purchasing money orders payable directly to himself. The scale of the operation suggests a level of premeditation and a disregard for the financial harm inflicted on the victims.

Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service built the case against Hill, meticulously tracking his movements and piecing together the evidence of his criminal activity. They traced purchases and money order requests, ultimately linking Hill to the stolen card data. The collaborative effort highlights the ongoing commitment of federal law enforcement to combat financial crimes that cross state lines.

While the restitution order represents a step toward compensating the victims, the 32-month sentence sends a clear message: exploiting stolen financial information will not be tolerated. Hill’s case is another stark reminder of the ever-present threat of digital fraud and the importance of protecting personal financial data. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and other federal crimes in Maine and beyond.”

RELATED: 15 Years for Meth Kingpin in ‘Toxic Waste’ Operation

RELATED: FDIC Unleashes March Enforcement Actions: Prohibitions, Penalties and Terminations Unveiled