Credit Card Forgers Arrested

Los Angeles: A couple was arrested for Forging credit cards.

Commercial Crimes Division detectives are conducting an investigation involving an organized ring of suspects engaged in obtaining stolen credit card information, manufacture forged credit cards and commit credit card fraud across state lines.

During the initial investigation of this case, detectives received information on one of the ringleaders, 32-year-old Robert Anaya, who was buying stolen credit card numbers and making counterfeit credit cards with the assistance of other ring members.  In addition to the Los Angeles area, the suspects went on numerous shopping trips to New York, Boston, Texas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and most recently to San Jose.  They used forged credit cards to make purchases of various items ranging from computers and other hi-tech devices to gift cards for future use.

On April 1, 2008, detectives conducted a controlled buy in which Robert Anaya purchased credit card numbers from a police source.  Detectives served a search warrant at Anaya's residence, located in Pasadena, where they arrested Robert Anaya and his wife Sylvia Ixtlahuac, age 28.

Detectives seized a credit card embossing machine, a credit card magnetic encoder, two computers, $2,760 in cash, over 90 credit and gift cards issued under different names, and numerous access card numbers and credit profiles.  Anaya and Ixtlahuac are being held at Los Angeles County Jail on $500,000.00 bail each.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Commercial Crimes Detectives at 213-485-4131.  After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free at 1-877-LAW-FULL (1-877-529-3855)