ORLANDO, FL – Ricardo Silva De Oliveira, 33, of Orlando, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 31 months for a brazen scheme to steal bank account information from unsuspecting SunTrust customers. U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton handed down the sentence, adding another five years of supervised release once De Oliveira completes his time.
The operation, meticulously documented by investigators, involved the installation of roughly 80 credit card skimmers and hidden pinhole cameras on ATMs across Florida and Georgia. These devices weren’t just carelessly slapped on; they were strategically placed at various SunTrust Bank locations to maximize data capture.
De Oliveira, working with accomplices, regularly retrieved the skimming devices, harvesting the stolen account numbers and PINs. That information was then used to create counterfeit cards – “unauthorized access devices” in legal terms – which were deployed to drain funds from victims’ accounts. The total loss suffered by the bank and its customers tallied a staggering $190,530.
De Oliveira pleaded guilty on February 8, 2021, acknowledging his central role in the conspiracy. The judge didn’t just stop at prison time. De Oliveira has been ordered to pay $190,530 in restitution, meaning he’ll be financially responsible for making victims whole, even after serving his sentence.
The case was spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service, demonstrating the agency’s continued focus on financial crimes beyond its more well-known protective duties. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terry B. Livanos and Roger B. Handberg secured the conviction and sentencing, highlighting the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting these types of schemes.
This wasn’t a victimless crime. While the investigation focused on the financial impact to SunTrust and its customers, the ripple effects of identity theft can be devastating, potentially ruining credit scores and causing years of financial hardship. De Oliveira’s actions represent a significant breach of trust and a calculated attempt to profit from the vulnerability of others.
Related Federal Cases
- Larry Malone Sentenced for Bank Fraud, Bainbridge GA, 2014 · Georgia
- Walter Butler Jr. and Orlando Brock Convicted of Bank Heist, Athens… · Georgia
- Ruben Mangual-Aquino Sentenced for Credit Card Fraud, Orlando FL, 2023 · Georgia
- Robert Plunkett Charged with Tax Fraud, Orlando FL, 2023 · Georgia
- Richard Michael Colbert, Bank Fraud, Florida 2024 · Texas
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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