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Florida Resident Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for Cellphone Fraud Scheme
A Florida resident has been sentenced to 52 months in prison for his role in a sophisticated cellphone fraud scheme that compromised the accounts of thousands of U.S. cellphone customers. Ramon Batista, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, the use, production or possession of modified telecommunications instruments, and the use or possession of hardware or software configured to obtain telecommunications services.
Batista, who operated a telecommunications company called Arymyx, Inc. in Florida, admitted that he sold fraudulent telecommunications services through his company and operated a ‘call site’ where he routed international phone calls as part of the fraud scheme. He also used and provided stolen or compromised telecommunications identifying information to reprogram cellphones.
As part of the scheme, Batista and his co-conspirators compromised the accounts of U.S. cellphone customers, allowing them to make thousands of international calls over the internet. The calls were billed to the customers’ compromised accounts, resulting in losses of over $794,000. Batista also admitted that he sent or received 1,132 ‘lines,’ which are combinations of telecommunications identifying numbers for specific devices or accounts associated with U.S. cellphone customers.
The FBI investigated the case, dubbed Operation Toll Free, which is part of the bureau’s ongoing effort to combat large-scale telecommunications fraud. Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared M. Strauss of the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
Batista’s sentencing is scheduled for a later date before Senior U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley in the Southern District of Florida. Batista is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in the case, and the second defendant to be sentenced, following Jose Santana, who was sentenced to 52 months in prison on similar charges. Santana pleaded guilty on October 26, 2016.
The case highlights the ongoing threat of large-scale telecommunications fraud, which can result in significant financial losses for individuals and businesses. The FBI’s investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the agency’s commitment to combatting this type of crime.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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