HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Pennsylvania State Police announced charges against four California men accused of using stolen credit card information – including from 17 Pennsylvanians – in a criminal scheme to buy tickets and other items online, which were then resold at a discount.
Andres Ramirez, Andres Maravilla, Jesus Maravilla and David Santoyo each are charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, identity theft and related charges.
“These defendants utilized the dark web to steal credit card information from unsuspecting Pennsylvanians, then used that information to make purchases,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Even if you are across the country, we will investigate conduct resulting in harm to Pennsylvanians. I applaud the Pennsylvania State Police for the collaboration in navigating this cycle of complex financial crimes.”
The investigation revealed that the four men purchased stolen credit card information off the dark web, then used it to buy event tickets and items online. They then used Instagram to resell those tickets and items.
Members of the group referred to the scheme as “The Method,” and Santoyo charged $500 to teach it to others.
Because banks and credit card companies often denied the new purchases before the money was withdrawn from customers’ accounts, the estimated loss to the financial institutions is nearly $2 million.
The Office of Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police are in the process of arranging the defendants’ extradition to Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police filed charges against the men. Upon extradition to Somerset County, the case will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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