Two linked to fake credit card ring

McALLEN -- Two men have admitted to purchasing thousands of dollars in pre-paid cell phone credits using fraudulent credit cards, according to court documents released Monday.

Federal agents arrested Jorge Ignacio Lozano Apodaca, 33, and Angel Ernesto Zapien Del Rio, 28, on Thursday, after tracking their purchases at eight Wal-Mart and H.E.B. stores between Harlingen and Mission.

In a one-day span, the men bought more than $10,000 in pre-paid phone and gift cards, U.S. Secret Service Agent Cameron Wolfley wrote in a criminal complaint filed in their case.

"Both suspects admitted that they receive fraudulent credit cards in the mail and are requested to buy $20 Boost pre-paid phone cards and send (them) to San Diego," the document states.

Investigators discovered the men had received more than 20 fake credit cards mailed from Southern California within the last month. The cards, which displayed one credit card number but actually held information for separate cards in their magnetic strip, all bore Lozano's name.

So-called "cloned credit cards" have become an increasing problem in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley, which is ranked among the highest metropolitan areas in the nation for identity theft, according to Secret Service, which investigates financial crime in addition to providing presidential security.

A federal judge sentenced another Mexican national to 16 months in prison for participating in a similar scheme linked to a Monterrey-based credit-card cloning ring.

That man, Israel Ahmed Vela-Ruiz, purchased thousands of dollars in electronic equipment from department stores at La Plaza Mall, according to court documents.

It remains unclear whether investigators have identified the suspects responsible for cloning the cards used by Lozano and Zapien or what the pre-paid cell phone credits might have been used for.

Both men are scheduled appear in federal court on Wednesday for a preliminary detention hearing. If indicted and convicted on fraud charges, each could face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.