AUSTIN,Texas - ten individuals have been charged in connection with a widespread card skimming operation across Texas,authorities announced today. The investigation, lead by the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) and involving multiple law enforcement agencies, uncovered a network responsible for significant financial fraud.
The agencies involved include the County Sheriff’s office, a Texas Comptroller Investigator from the Midland/Odessa area, the New Braunfels Police Department, the Austin Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety (Austin), the Pflugerville Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Investigators found the operation primarily utilized “deep skimmer” devices - easily installed within card readers to capture magnetic strip data – coupled with pinhole cameras or overlay devices on PIN pads to steal personal identification numbers.Authorities say one suspect alone illicitly gained over $400,000 in a single year through fraudulent transactions.
“Very rarely is this a single individual. This is almost always organized crime,” stated Captain Jeff Roberts of the FCIC.
A common tactic employed by the suspects involved fuel theft, using stolen card information to purchase fuel for resale on the black market. “A lot of these suspects aren’t just skimming your card at the pump, they’re then turning around and they’re using that same data to then go use your card…and steal fuel,” Roberts explained.
Skimmers are often challenging to detect visually. Law enforcement urges consumers to closely monitor bank activity and set up transaction notifications. Reporting fraudulent charges immediately is crucial to minimizing financial damage.
The investigation remains active,with several suspects still at large. Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact their local law enforcement agency.
