Two Detroit Men Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Personal Identifying Information and Financial Account Information to Engage in Credit Card Fraud Affecting 15 Victims

DETROIT - Two Detroit men who engaged in an elaborate credit card scheme were sentenced to prison, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced today.

Gorgon Jr. was joined in the announcement by Felicia B. George, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Division.

Spencer and Vasquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and admitted to conspiring to defraud numerous credit card holders by obtaining their personal identifying information and financial account information. Spencer and Vasquez gained access to the credit card holders' accounts by fraudulently submitting videos or "selfies" of their faces, accompanied with fake driver's licenses bearing their photos but the victims' names. After receiving access to the funds, Spencer and Vasquez made various fraudulent purchases. Vasquez's fraudulent conduct resulted in over $180,00 in actual loss. Spencer's fraudulent conduct resulted in over $200,000 in actual loss. The conspiracy involved 15 victims.

Sentencing was held before United States Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. At sentencing, the Court highlighted the impact the scheme had on the victims involved, and the criminal history of each defendant, which included a history of fraud.

Spencer was sentenced to serve 37 months' imprisonment and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his term of incarceration. Vasquez was sentenced to serve 54 months' imprisonment and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his term of incarceration.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dorval Norwood.