Press Releases

Police Seek Pair In Credit Card Fraud Case
May 14, 2009

Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects who charged up several hundred dollars worth of cigarettes and other items, using credit card information belonging to someone else.

According to detectives with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the unknown suspect’s likely used a skimmer to acquire the victim's account information. A skimmer is a small electronic device used to swipe the victim's credit card to capture all account information, which is then transferred onto another card which the suspect’s use.

In this case, all charges to the card were made in one day, starting with an $83 purchase at the 7-11 on Colonial Boulevard, and concluding with two charges for $103 and $126 at the Wal Mart in North Fort Myers.

Fortunately, the victim's bank detected unusual activity on the card, and contacted the victim to authenticate the charges. When the victim told bank officials that he hadn't made any of the charges in question, the card was deactivated.

The suspect's shopping spree thus came to an end, although they attempted to use the card one more time at a Walgreens store - which immediately declined the purchase.

Surveillance photos from both the 7-11 and Wal Mart locations show the same two people using the stolen credit card information - a large framed white female, accompanied by a Hispanic male - both estimated to be in their late 20s.

Anyone with information on the identity, and current location of the two suspects in these photos is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.

Upon their arrest, the suspect’s will be charged with larceny theft and fraudulent use of a credit card.

For additional information, contact Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator, at 239-477-1407.