RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) has laid multiple fraud charges. 

In partnership with Raymond RCMP and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, SAD CRU took over a crime series involving a technique called the "Manual Entry Transaction Fraud."

The crime series targeted small business convenience stores between December 31, last year, and February 26, 2024. 

According to police, the manual entry credit card scam involves a suspect entering the retailer and requesting $5,000.00 in Sports Select and $1,000.00 in Keno (the maximum sales limit in a 24-hour period).

They will then request Credit Card payment and see if the terminal allows manual entry. If it does, they enter a memorized Mastercard credit card number that does not match the card entered.

The transaction will go through as approved, but since the actual credit card is not present at the time of purchase in the machine, the bank will (upon notification of the cardholder dispute) reverse the charges and charge back to the retailer. 

This does not happen immediately and can take several weeks. Upon realizing that the retailer’s terminal will allow manual entry, the suspects will purchase additional prepaid credit cards, gift cards, and scratch-and-win tickets.

"Most retailers have admitted that the transactions seemed unusual but proceeded to sell to the suspect(s) until the Western Canada Lottery Corporation calls the retailer to inquire about the payment made on these purchases," explained the RCMP.

SAD CRU executed a search warrant on March 24 in the 2000 block of 34 Street SW, Calgary. 

As a result of the investigation, the following people have been charged: 

46-year-old Jay Obrador and 44-year-old Maynard Go Recibio, both residents of Calgary, were charged with the following: 

  • Fraud Over $5000
  • Possess or Traffic in Credit Card Data
  • Laundering Proceeds of Crime

39-year-old Melody Velasquez, 35-year-old Jessica Nyome Vinje, 29-year-old Angelo Ross Diaz, and 33-year-old  Rommel Manansala Togado, again residents of Calgary, have been charged with the following:

  • Fraud Over $5000
  • Possess or Traffic in Credit Card Data

Obrador will appear in Lethbridge court on April 24, and the other five accused have arrest warrants out. 

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