The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, has dismantled a sophisticated credit card fraud operation.
In June 2026, detectives were notified that a counterfeit credit card had been used to purchase fuel at a Wawa on East Hillsborough Avenue. It was determined that the original card’s information had been stolen using a credit card skimming device.
As part of the investigation, detectives served a search warrant on July 8, 2026, at a residence on Flamingo Avenue in Apollo Beach.
During the search, detectives discovered a counterfeit credit card manufacturing and fraud operation and seized 154 counterfeit credit cards, dozens of credit card skimming devices, multiple ledgers documenting the operation, and numerous electronic devices used to facilitate the production and use of counterfeit credit cards.
Detectives also found that the…
Scammers capitalize on major disasters or heart-wrenching stories to solicit donations for non-existent charities. They often use names that are very similar to well-known, legitimate organizations to confuse donors.