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Identity Theft Ring Busted in RI
PROVIDENCE, RI – A brazen identity theft ring has been busted in Rhode Island, with three individuals facing federal charges for their roles in a scheme to steal and use the personal identifying information of others to defraud banks, finance companies, car dealerships and retailers.
To date, six individuals have been charged in related cases. The investigations are continuing.
The latest charges include a 21-count indictment which alleges that New Jersey man Octavio Andres Difo-Castro, 27, of Edgewater, and his accomplice, Patricia Peralta, 27, of Patterson, conspired together, and with others, to use the stolen identities of several individuals to create fraudulent driver’s licenses and other documents. The documents were allegedly used by the defendants and others to open bank accounts, apply for and receive financing for automobiles, and make purchases at retailers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
In a separate but related matter, a Rhode Island man, Jeffry Rodriguez, 37, of Providence, is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint that alleges that he participated in schemes to use stolen personal identifying information of others to open bank accounts and to deposit and withdraw fraudulently obtained funds.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Rodriguez and others posed as both the sellers and the buyers of vehicles when applying for car loans from banks and credit unions. It is alleged that the conspirators withdrew the funds by visiting several bank branch offices around Rhode Island.
The investigations, led by the U.S. Secret Service, with the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service; the East Providence, Warwick, and Pawtucket, R.I. Police Departments; Seekonk and Mansfield, MA, Police Departments; and the Rhode Island State Police, have resulted in criminal charges against six individuals who allegedly participated in various conspiracies and schemes to steal and use individuals personal identifying information to defraud banks, finance companies and retailers of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The investigations and charges brought in these cases are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Stephen Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service; and Scott E. Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
Difo-Castro is detained in federal custody. Peralta is released on unsecured bond and G.P.S. monitoring. Rodriguez was released on $50,000 unsecured bond and pretrial release.
The case is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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