On Thursday, January 16, New Jersey's Attorney General announced charges against 25 people allegedly involved in an illegal credit card skimming operation. As of this writing, everyone arrested in connection with the alleged scheme faces charges of first-degree racketeering.

Someone charged with first-degree racketeering in New Jersey could face criminal penalties of between 10 and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

If you ever face such charges, our NJ Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is available to protect your rights. Learn more about what we can do for you now by submitting your information through our online form or calling us at 888-535-3686 to discuss your case.

NJ Investigation Reveals Multi-State Credit Card Skimming Operation

The investigation that initiated this case began in NJ's Gloucester Township. According to authorities, the investigation revealed a coordinated scheme involving the aforementioned 25 individuals, as well as four separate companies. Overall, thousands of victims in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts may have been affected.

Authorities indicate the scheme involved installing credit card skimmers at various gas station pumps in these states. When customers inserted their cards at these pumps, the skimmers could steal their data, which could then be used to create fake credit cards.

The next step in the scheme involved using the stolen credit cards to purchase diesel fuel. Those who made said purchases would then resell the fuel they purchased, a scheme that reportedly brought in more than $3 million for the group between January 2023 and July 2024.

The scheme technically involved fraudulent usage of credit cards. However, due to the organized nature of the scheme, as well as other relevant factors, those allegedly involved primarily face racketeering charges. That's not to say credit card fraud charges would be off the table in cases like this.

Racketeering Charges Target Multiple Members of an Operation

Decades ago, the federal RICO statute empowered law enforcement agencies across the country to target organized crime by allowing prosecutors to charge multiple members of a criminal conspiracy at once.

You might feel you've been treated unfairly if you're accused of participating in a scheme involving various other parties. Perhaps you feel the law has been misapplied, and you are being improperly associated with individuals or parties whose illegal actions you may now face punishment for.

These are understandable feelings. However, when authorities treat you as a member of a criminal conspiracy, taking the matter seriously and implementing a proper defense is of the utmost importance.

If you're accused of racketeering, credit card fraud, or a similar crime, speaking to the police or trying to handle any aspect of your defense alone can further harm your case.

That's not something you need to worry about when you enlist the help of our Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team. We'll tailor our defense strategy to your specific circumstances, offering a personalized defense. Get started today by calling our offices at 888-535-3686 or submitting your information via our online form.