SARASOTA, Fla. — Seven people, including a former Florida Department of Children and Family Services employee, have been charged in connection with a statewide data breach and fraud ring.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation in May when a retailer at University Town Center reported suspected fraudulent activity. The investigation led detectives to two people who allegedly used victims' credit card accounts to buy more than $6,000 in merchandise.
Investigators say the two people, 39-year-old Roxana Ruiz and 43-year-old Eduardo Lamigueiro, face charges of fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal identification. Ruiz and Lamigueiro are from Miami and were released from the Sarasota County Jail on May 25 after posting bond.
Detectives said evidence found in their vehicle, including several cellphones, produced dozens of images of receipts, counterfeit driver's licenses and personal information like addresses, phone numbers and social security numbers of victims.
Deputies said this reportedly stolen information was used to do more than 40 transactions throughout the state, amounting to about $260,000 in retail theft.
Detectives said the cellphones also showed a phone number for Bertanicy Garcia, 48, employed by DCFS as an interviewing clerk, out of its Miami office. Garcia reportedly sent to Lamigueiro more than 500 photos of personal information tied to adult and child victims, according to law enforcement.
Detectives said they confirmed the victim information was accessed using the DCFS database. Garcia has since been fired.
Another man, 43-year-old Jose Perez, was also allegedly connected to the "organized crime ring." Detectives say Lamigueiro sent Perez stolen information that was later used to create fake driver's licenses. Perez then used those licenses to buy things in the UTC area, deputies said.
Detectives say they believe the fake licenses were created by Nelson Cobo-Hernandez, 58, and Junior Perodin Verges, 44.
The sheriff's office said Marcos Cobo-Gonzales, 30, was also connected to the "fraud ring" after detectives said they found text messages and images sent to him that contained social security numbers. Detectives said they believe Gonzalez used the stolen information for "tax fraud."
Detectives worked with the U.S. Secret Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Miami-Dade Police Department, City of Miami Police Department and Hialeah Police Department during the investigation.
The sheriff's office said five people were arrested but two are still wanted by police.
- Bertanicy Garcia: She is charged with two counts of criminal use of personal identification more than 30 times.
- Eduardo Lamigueiro: Warrants have been issued for his arrest. He faces charges of criminal use of personal identification more than 30 times and grand theft less than $5,000.
- Roxana Ruiz: Warrants have been issued for her arrest. She faces charges of principal to criminal use of personal identification more than 30 times.
- Jose Perez: He is charged with criminal use of personal identification and grand theft less than $5,000.
- Nelson Cobo-Hernandez: He is charged with principal to criminal use of personal identification more than 30 times.
- Junior Perodin Verges: He is charged with criminal use of personal identification information greater than $5,000.
- Marcos Cobo-Gonzalez: He is charged with principal to criminal use of personal identification more than 30 times.
Deputies said the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.
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