Ohio Man Nabbed in Multi-State Credit Card Scam

BEAUMONT, TX – Mohamed Laye Dioubate, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, is facing a decade behind bars after a federal jury found him guilty of running a sophisticated credit card fraud scheme that spanned multiple states. The verdict came down today in the Eastern District of Texas, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

The bust originated on June 27, 2012, when Dioubate was pulled over on Interstate-10 in Beaumont for a routine traffic stop. But the stop quickly turned up far more than a simple citation. A search of his vehicle revealed a staggering 158 fraudulent credit cards, a laptop computer, and a device used to encode stolen credit card information. These weren’t just blank plastic; the cards bore the names and account numbers of numerous victims, and had already been used to make illicit purchases across the country.

This wasn’t a one-time offense. Law enforcement caught up with Dioubate again in November 2012, first in Missouri and then in Indiana, each time discovering him in possession of more counterfeit cards. The pattern painted a clear picture of a career criminal systematically exploiting unsuspecting citizens. U.S. Attorney John M. Bales warned residents, particularly during the holiday season, to be vigilant about protecting their personal and financial information. “Grinches, like identity thieves, are unfortunately common this time of the year,” Bales stated.

Dioubate, a naturalized citizen of Guinea, was formally indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas on April 17, 2013, and charged with possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices – a federal violation carrying significant penalties. The investigation involved a multi-agency effort, bringing together the Beaumont Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, the St. Charles County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, and the Henry County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher T. Tortorice and Brit Featherston prosecuted the case, meticulously building a case that ultimately led to Dioubate’s conviction. He now faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. The Department of Justice is sending a clear message: exploiting financial systems will be met with swift and severe consequences.

For those concerned about becoming a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission offers resources and guidance on its website: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft. Stay safe, and protect your assets.

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