Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Glynn, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2019 · Washington
- Joseph Frank Abel, Crypto Mining Securities Fraud, New Jersey 2024 · California
- Kevin M. Dickau, Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy, New Jersey 2024 · Washington
- Shawn Hilliard, Bank Fraud Scheme, Iowa 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Omar Khater, $4.4M IRS Fraud, New Jersey 2024 · Washington
Riverside Man Sentenced for Bank Card Fraud Scheme
A California man has been sentenced to 51 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal 94,000 credit and debit cards from customers at Michaels’ stores in 19 states. Jose Salazar, 45, of Riverside, California, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to documents filed in the case, Salazar and his conspirators installed devices that acquired customers’ bank account and PIN information on point of sale terminals at Michaels stores. The stolen account information was used to produce counterfeit bank cards, which were used with the stolen PINs to withdraw funds from the compromised bank accounts.
The conspirators allegedly replaced point of sale terminals in 80 different stores operated by Michaels across 19 states, including New Jersey, with counterfeit devices. Each counterfeit device was equipped with wireless technology, which the conspirators used to retrieve the stolen information. From February 2011 to April 2011, conspirators stole approximately 94,000 debit and credit card account numbers.
Salazar recruited individuals to participate in the conspiracy in 2011. From April 2011 to May 2011, Salazar, Angel Angulo, and others obtained counterfeit cards with the corresponding PIN numbers from other conspirators. They used the cards and PIN numbers to withdraw money using ATMs from hundreds of bank accounts. Angulo pleaded guilty on June 20, 2017, and was sentenced on March 15, 2018, to three years in prison.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez sentenced Salazar to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $617,534.94. Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Secret Service for the investigation leading to the sentencing.
The case was investigated by special agents of the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Fayer represented the government in the case, while Richard Sparaco Esq. represented Salazar in court.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News