Man arrested after allegedly stealing over 5,600 account numbers at southern Mass, New England gas stations

BOSTON – A Florida man was arrested today on federal charges arising from his alleged participation in a scheme to install electronic skimming equipment at gas stations across New England, stealing thousands of customers’ debit and credit card account numbers.

Luis Angel Naranjo Rodriguez, 29, of Hialeah, Florida, was charged with one count of possessing 15 or more counterfeit access devices (debit and credit card account numbers) and one count of possession of device-making equipment (skimming devices).

Naranjo Rodriguez was arrested in Concord, Mass. on Nov. 17, 2019 after Concord Police found him at a closed gas station standing next to an unlocked gas pump with keys in the lock. According to court documents, officers searched Naranjo Rodriguez and the vehicle next to which he was found, and discovered multiple skimming devices and additional gas pump keys. Officers also searched Naranjo Rodriguez’s hotel room. A review of the devices seized from the vehicle and hotel room resulted in the discovery of more than 5,600 account numbers that appeared to have been stolen via skimming devices. It is alleged that this scheme involved the theft of account information via skimming devices installed at gas stations in Lynnfield, Concord, Malden, Taunton, Randolph and Raynham, Mass., Portland, Maine, Nashua, N.H. and Willington, Conn.

The charging statute for using a counterfeit access device provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possessing device-making equipment provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Thomas P. Baker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Concord, Lunenburg and Raynham Police Departments in Massachusetts, the Nashua Police Department (New Hampshire) and the Portland Police Department (Maine). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Abely and Fred Wyshak, III are prosecuting the case.