Omar Fandino, Access Device Theft, Georgia 2016

Omar Fandino, 25, of Suwanee, GA, is going to federal prison for ripping off elderly victims through a calculated scheme of access device theft and cloning. Fandino was sentenced today to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges tied to a days-long crime wave across the St. Louis area in 2016. The operation targeted some of the most vulnerable—seniors with accounts drained by hidden digital theft.

U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White handed down the sentence and ordered Fandino to pay $29,551.42 in restitution. The ruling came after prosecutors detailed how Fandino traveled to Missouri, rented a vehicle, and crisscrossed the region between September 23 and October 3, 2016, using cloned access devices tied to real victims’ accounts. These weren’t random hits—they were precise strikes on individuals aged 59 to 86.

Court documents show Fandino used the stolen data to buy gift cards, money orders, and merchandise, while also pulling cash from ATMs like he owned the accounts. One final victim was a disabled woman sharing finances with her 72-year-old mother—both left reeling by the fraud. Investigators say the thefts were systematic, showing planning and intent to exploit older adults before disappearing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, tracing digital breadcrumbs and rental vehicle logs to tie Fandino to the spree. His capture was a win for the Eastern District of Missouri Identity Theft Task Force, a multi-agency unit focused on dismantling identity theft rings that prey on local communities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuted the case as part of the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative, a nationwide push to combat financial exploitation of older Americans. The initiative has ramped up prosecutions in recent years as scams grow more sophisticated and brazen.

Fandino’s conviction sends a message: stealing from seniors won’t be treated as a victimless crime. With restitution ordered and federal time served, the case underscores the DOJ’s commitment to holding fraudsters accountable—one stolen account at a time.

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