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Tampa Residents Sentenced for Credit Card Fraud
TAMPA, FL – Juan Miranda Amores (44) and Yudelkis Portes (31) of Tampa have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fraudulent credit card ring.
According to a recent investigation, Miranda Amores was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison, while Portes received a five-year sentence. Both defendants were also ordered to forfeit $59,897.84 each, the proceeds of the credit card fraud.
The scheme, which occurred from at least mid-2010 to July 2011, involved the use of stolen identities to commit credit card or access device fraud and bank fraud. The investigation revealed that Miranda Amores, Portes, and their co-conspirators used stolen and/or counterfeit credit and debit cards to make small purchases at various retail establishments, often at the same time, in order to avoid detection.
Law enforcement identified more than a dozen financial institutions and retailers, including Sears, Macy’s, and JC Penney, who were defrauded by the suspects for a total actual loss of $59,897.84. The government estimates the intended loss amounts to be approximately $521,914.73. Over 50 victims of identity theft were also identified as a result of this scheme.
The case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, the United States Secret Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.
Miranda Amores pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on October 5, 2012. Portes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on October 22, 2012. Another co-defendant, Ireanaldo Larrondo-Berrera, pleaded guilty on November 12, 2012.
A sentencing hearing for Larrondo-Berrera is scheduled on May 9, 2013. The investigation into this case highlights the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing and prosecuting white-collar crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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