NYC man nabbed in massive credit card skimming case

Karl A. Jacques, with the bogus credit and debit cards (Sanford Police photos)

SANFORD - A New York City man was arrested in Sanford on Tuesday in a massive credit card fraud case that used skimming technology to target victim's bank accounts.

The investigation began when Sanford Police were called to Hannaford supermarket in Sanford to investigate a suspicious transaction. Hannaford Loss Prevention reported the incident to police because it was indicative of a fraudulent credit card scam that local retailers all across Southern Maine have recently fallen victim to.

The scam typically begins with credit card numbers being illegally obtained, usually by credit card skimmers which are typically placed on ATMs. Once the numbers are obtained from the skimmers, the credit card numbers are sold and purchased online. Fake credit cards are then manufactured using the credit card numbers and account information of unsuspecting victims.

The cards are then used until their limit is reached, or until the issuing bank shuts the card off. Purchasing high-value gift cards is a common tactic used by perpetrators, because gift cards can be used like cash and are not easily traceable.

In this case, officers learned through their investigation that Karl A. Jacques, 25, of Brooklyn, New York, purchased several high-value gift cards at the Hannaford in Sanford, Wells, North Berwick, and York. Police had reason to believe that these purchases were made using fraudulent credit cards. After Jacques made purchases at the Sanford Hannaford, he proceeded directly to the Waterboro Hannaford, whereupon he was refused a similar sale by an employee.

Jacques was arrested outside the Hannaford in Waterboro and charged with felony theft. Police seized approximately 40 credit cards (all bearing Jacques' name) and $4,800 in gift cards. Jacques was booked into the York County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

He is being held on $25,000 cash bail.