PROVIDENCE, RI – Octavio Andres Difo-Castro, 30, of Brooklyn, NY, is headed to federal prison for orchestrating a brazen, multi-state fraud scheme that bilked banks, finance companies, car dealerships, and retailers out of a staggering $1.3 million. The ringleader received 87 months – over seven years – in prison after pleading guilty to a litany of charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, Difo-Castro wasted no time setting up shop after arriving in the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 2016. He quickly began sourcing stolen identities on the dark web, amassing a treasure trove of personal information belonging to unsuspecting victims. These stolen identities weren’t just filed away; they were weaponized, transformed into high-quality, fraudulent driver’s licenses and other documents used to fuel his criminal enterprise.
The operation was multi-faceted. Difo-Castro’s crew used the fake IDs to open bank accounts for depositing and withdrawing illicit funds. They posed as both buyers and sellers in vehicle transactions, fraudulently securing financing from banks and credit unions across several states. The scheme also extended to retail fraud, with accomplices making purchases at clothing and cellphone stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania using stolen credit and identities.
The financial damage was extensive. Banks and credit unions were defrauded of $899,866, while cellphone retailers lost $117,341. Clothing retailers were hit for another $14,067. U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. didn’t show much sympathy, sentencing Difo-Castro to 87 months, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordering him to pay $649,180 in restitution. Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus announced the sentencing.
Difo-Castro wasn’t working alone. Several others have already been convicted in connection with the scheme. Reynaldo Martinez, 25, of Providence, received 48 months and was ordered to pay $38,126.62 in restitution after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated identity theft, among other charges. Jason McDonald, 38, of Attleboro, MA, got 39 months and $29,825 in restitution. Donald A. Wicklund, 34, of Pawtucket, was sentenced to 24 months and one day, plus $80,799 in restitution.
The web continued to unravel with Yenesia Pujols, 48, of Providence, receiving two years and one day, and $86,144 in restitution. Angel L. Morales, 54, of New York, NY, was sentenced to 36 months and $116,000 in restitution. Patricia Peralta, 30, of Patterson, N.J., also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. The case serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by identity theft and the dark web, and the lengths criminals will go to exploit stolen information for financial gain.
Related Federal Cases
- Angel L. Morales, ID Theft and Bank Fraud, NY 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Letitia James, Dismantling AmeriCorps Funding, New York NY, 2023 · Kentucky
- Letitia James Defends Humanitarian Parole Program, New York NY, 2024 · Kentucky
- Live Nation, Antitrust Lawsuit, New York NY, 2024 · Oregon
- Letitia James Sues to Block Defunding of Planned Parenthood, New Yo… · Oregon
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News