BOISE – A brazen credit card fraud scheme that victimized individuals and businesses across the country has landed a Miami man in federal prison for two years.
Matias Ahumada-Avendano, 31, of Miami Beach, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for his role in the scheme, which caused $157,502.91 in losses.
According to court records, Ahumada-Avendano and his co-defendant, Claudia Espinoza, 41, traveled to the Treasure Valley on multiple occasions between August 2020 and February 2021 to commit theft and fraud.
They targeted unoccupied vehicles parked at trailheads, broke into them, and stole credit cards belonging to the owners. Ahumada-Avendano and Espinoza then used the victims’ credit cards to purchase gift cards and electronics from retail stores such as Target and Best Buy.
The duo was arrested on April 24, 2021, in Kent County, Michigan, while breaking into a vehicle.
Ahumada-Avendano pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in the scheme and was held accountable for the losses. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Ahumada-Avendano to serve 3 years of supervised release to follow his prison sentence.
Ahumada-Avendano’s co-defendant, Claudia Espinoza, has also been charged with wire fraud for her participation in the scheme and is scheduled for sentencing on April 18, 2022.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho praised the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Boise Police Department, officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Michigan State Police, and loss prevention employees from Best Buy, which led to charges.
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Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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