2 Arrested In $450K Identity Theft Case
The El Paso Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division, Inspectors from the United States Postal Service and Agents of US Secret Service have charged two El Pasoans with Unauthorized Use of Access Devices that were allegedly used to defraud people in the amount of $450,000.
According to police, David Viado, 24, of the 11500 block of Pratt, and Nallely Galindo, 24, of the 3700 block of Texas Star, were defrauding people across the United States.
ABC-7 uncovered that in 2004, Viado was indicted for reporting a false bomb threat at Montwood high school.
Viado was ordered to serve three years probation and pay a $1,000 fine, but then he stopped making payments and was ordered to pay restitution.
Although police are not releasing the specifics of the scheme right now, they do say it was all done through the Internet.
“The use of an email, a virus was used to obtain personal information and then with that information they were able to secure a credit in different forms…credit cards all the way to applying for credit funds,” said Darrel Petry, El Paso Police Spokesman.
Police said Viado and Galindo began their crime spree more two years ago. Both Viado and Galindo have been booked into the El Paso County Jail on the charge of Unauthorized Use of Access Devices. There are no bonds. This investigation continues and additional charges are pending.
