MCALLEN, Texas (AP) - Authorities say a Cuban man who ran an international online credit card fraud operation must serve more than 11 years in a U.S. prison.
Jorge Ernesto Blanco-Rodriguez of Havana was sentenced Thursday in McAllen, Texas. The 43-year-old Cuban and Spanish citizen pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Prosecutors say Blanco-Rodriguez, who possessed about 12,000 stolen credit and debit card numbers for sale, must also pay more than $600,000 in restitution.
The Texas-based investigation began when authorities arrested two Mexican nationals for credit card fraud. Search warrants were carried out, leading to Blanco-Rodriguez.
Officials say Blanco-Rodriguez, whose operation was based in Cuba, was arrested in July 2015 in Miami while traveling to Florida to visit family.
He’s expected to be deported following release from a U.S. prison.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.