Major Credit Card Fraudsters Arrested in Pembroke Pines

Two Men Arrested in Pembroke Pines Following Secret Service Raid

Pembroke Pines, FLFederal agents arrested two men on Tuesday after the U.S. Secret Service executed a search warrant at a home in the upscale Grand Palms Country Club community. The raid, supported by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Pembroke Pines police, took place near Southwest 156th Avenue and 12th Street, and resulted in the arrest of Willan Pupo, 36, and Joel Castillo, 38.

Dramatic video footage from the scene shows law enforcement officials with their guns drawn, positioned behind vehicles as they approached the house at the center of the investigation. Residents of the typically tranquil neighborhood were startled by the sudden and intense law enforcement presence.

The South Florida news reported that Pupo was not present in federal court on Wednesday due to testing positive for COVID-19. However, Castillo did appear before the court.

Federal prosecutors allege that from February to July of this year, Pupo and Castillo engaged in wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit access device fraud. According to a federal criminal complaint, the men are accused of acquiring point-of-sale devices and using them with stolen credit cards to make fraudulent charges. These activities reportedly funneled nearly $1 million through bank accounts before being detected.

The complaint further details how the accused linked the fraudulent point-of-sale devices to fake companies registered to Pupo’s address. Neighbors reported hearing loud bangs and commands from law enforcement during the raid, which created a scene of chaos in the otherwise serene neighborhood.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the experience: “Booms to open the door, but yeah, no, it’s scary. We just had been peeking through the window here and stuff, and watching it. Big booms, big booms. There were SWAT guys all over the place.”

The Secret Service has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the investigation. Rafael Barros, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Miami Field Office, stated, “The Miami Field Office is not in a position to comment on the nature of the involvement of the U.S. Secret Service in this matter. As with any potential investigation, any future actions would be disclosed in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida.”

Castillo’s bond was set at more than $160,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned later this month. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community of Grand Palms remains on edge, grappling with the sudden and shocking events that have shattered their sense of security.

Further details about the case and the ongoing investigation are expected to emerge in the coming weeks, shedding light on the extent of the alleged fraud and the implications for those involved.

 

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