Raudy Acosta Fernandez, Aggravated Identity Theft, Oklahoma 2023

Raudy Acosta Fernandez, a 32-year-old Richardson man, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in an identity theft scheme that used credit card ‘skimming devices’ on gas pumps.

Grimy Times has learned that Fernandez was convicted of Aggravated Identity Theft, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.

According to court documents, Fernandez knowingly possessed and used a means of identification of another person during and in relation to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The conspiracy involved the use of credit card ‘skimming devices’ placed on gas pumps by members of the conspiracy to steal credit card information, create credit cards with the information and then use those cards to receive cash at ATM’s.

‘The use of skimming devices to steal credit card information is not a new trend, but the devices used today are more difficult to detect. There are precautions we should all take to protect our credit and bank card information from thieves using skimming devices. For example, before using a gas pump, make sure the panel is closed and doesn’t show signs of tampering. Many pumps now have a security seal. If the seal is broken, don’t use that pump,’ United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said.

Awareness that thieves are using this technology and exercising caution before using your credit card at the pump or at ATM’s are important to help us avoid being victims of this type of criminal scheme.

The case was investigated by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the United States Secret Service, with Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson representing the United States. The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge, presided over the hearing.

In a statement, the Secret Service said that this investigation is a prime example of the Secret Service’s investigative mission; to protect the U.S. financial infrastructure by pursuing counterfeit and financial crimes investigations.

Raudy Acosta Fernandez will serve 2 years in prison and 1 year supervised release for his role in the identity theft scheme.

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