Lynn man allegedly stole 3,400 identities and credit card numbers
A Lynn man was arraigned Thursday on charges relating to allegedly obtaining more than 3,400 credit card numbers and various identities through an illegal internet scheme, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office.
Cristian Villa-Marte, 32, allegedly obtained victim’s personal identifying information and account numbers through their internet purchases, using them to buy thousands of dollars of goods online, the DA’s office said.
Authorities said he made purchases from an Everett furniture company between September 2015 and March 2016. When it was discovered that he allegedly used stolen credit cards, police searched email accounts associated with the illegal orders.
The search revealed documents addressed to Villa-Marte, invoices for purchases made with stolen identities, and documents related to the orders, authorities said. Villa-Marte’s phones, which were used in connection with the orders, were also linked to the email accounts during the investigation.
Villa-Marte was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on two counts of larceny over $250, one count of attempting to commit larceny over $250, and one count of conspiracy to commit larceny over $250. His bail was set at $100,000 and he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, according to a statement.
“Our office continues to see a rise in the number of credit card and identity thefts, and any online shopper can be a victim of these schemes,” District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a statement. “It is important that members of the public are vigilant in monitoring their credit card statements and reporting any suspicious card activity to authorities.”
An investigation into the scope of the alleged conspiracy is still ongoing, authorities said. Villa-Marte is scheduled to appear back in court August 30.
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