George Santos, a 46-year-old from Miami, Florida, was arrested on Thursday and is facing new charges that accuse him of identity theft and credit card fraud. Santos is accused of using victims’ information to make fraudulent purchases, take out lines of credit, and open accounts in his victims’ names.
The investigation into Santos’ alleged activities began in July of this year when a crime victim came to the police station to report suspicious activity on their credit card. Police said that Santos had obtained the victim’s personal information, such as date of birth and Social Security number, to open multiple lines of credit and make numerous unauthorized purchases.
When authorities searched Santos’ home, they discovered numerous documents, cards, and computers containing the personal information of multiple victims. Some of the credit cards that Santos allegedly used had already been canceled due to fraudulent activity, and he was charged with grand theft and aggravated identity theft as well as other financial fraud offenses.
Santos is now facing multiple counts of identity theft, credit card fraud, and deceptive business practices. He is currently being held in a local county jail on a $100,000 bond and is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks.
The authorities have issued a warning to those in the Miami area that anyone who may have experienced identity theft or credit card fraud should immediately file a police report and contact their financial institution. It is important for consumers to be aware of situations such as this one, as identity theft and credit card fraud can have serious repercussions and have a long-term effect on victims’ lives.