LAS VEGAS – A brazen scheme to fleece drivers at the pump has landed Juan Luis Sosa Tamayo, a resident of Las Vegas, behind bars. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced Sosa Tamayo to 56 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release yesterday for his pivotal role in a large-scale gas pump skimming operation stretching across Nevada and Southern California.
Sosa Tamayo previously admitted guilt to a trifecta of charges: one count of conspiracy, one count of use of unauthorized access device, and the serious charge of aggravated identity theft. The court documents paint a picture of a sophisticated operation that ran from at least June 2018 through June 2020, preying on unsuspecting customers fueling up in and around Las Vegas, Reno, Bakersfield, and Fresno.
Working alongside co-conspirators Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez, Adrian Leyva Tamayo, and Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez, Sosa Tamayo and his crew strategically installed hidden skimming devices inside gas pump terminals. These devices silently captured credit and debit card information as customers swiped their cards. The stolen data wasn’t just collected; it was actively exploited. The group then re-encoded the account details onto counterfeit cards, enabling them to purchase goods and withdraw cash from ATMs.
The scope of the fraud is staggering. Investigators determined that the group captured at least 8,229 stolen credit and debit card numbers, resulting in a total estimated loss of $5,032,616. This wasn’t a small-time operation; it was a calculated, widespread attack on the financial security of thousands of individuals. The Secret Service, leading the investigation, meticulously traced the operation and brought the perpetrators to justice.
Sosa Tamayo isn’t the only one facing consequences. Adrian Leyva Tamayo is scheduled to be sentenced on June 22, 2023. Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez previously received a 70-month prison sentence, and Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez was sentenced to 61 months for their involvement. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale, while the case was announced by U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Karon Ransom.
If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338 or online at www.identitytheft.gov. For tips on preventing identity theft and accessing free resources, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft. The Secret Service urges vigilance at the pump and encourages customers to report any suspicious activity to authorities.
Related Federal Cases
- Juan Luis Sosa Tamayo, Gas Pump Skimming, NV 2024 · California
- Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez, Gas Pump Skimming, NV 2019 · California
- Howard Hsu, Tax Fraud Conspiracy, Nevada 2024 · Indiana
- Sean Christopher Sladek, Investment Fraud Scheme, Nevada 2024 · Washington
- Ramesh Kris Nathan, Wire Fraud, Nevada 2019 · Indiana
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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