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Two Cuban twins were sentenced to prison in Los Angeles, California, for their involvement in a scheme to defraud online payment systems.
Alejandro Muñoz and Abel Peña García were involved in a scheme of fraudulent claims targeting third-party payment platforms, such as PayPal and Square, stated the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a statement on its official website.
Both were also suspected of defrauding the U.S. Department of the Treasury and were sentenced on February 24 in the Central District of California.
Muñoz was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for aggravated identity theft, with three years of supervised release, and the judge ordered him to pay $477,396.74 in restitution.
Peña García will have to spend three years and five months in prison for attempts and conspiracy, along with three years of supervised release.
The statement described the accused as identical twins, but it does not clarify the reason for the difference in surnames.
The investigation of this case was handled by the Financial Crimes Task Force of El Camino Real, in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
"This conviction highlights our agency's efforts to safeguard our economy and take dangerous criminals off the streets,” stated Al Rossi, acting special agent in charge of the ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles.
The official emphasized that the Financial Crimes Task Force of El Camino Real "will work tirelessly to ensure that criminals who exploit innocent victims and seek to undermine our financial infrastructure are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions."
ICE has emphasized that, in collaboration with other federal agencies, it intends to strengthen security in communities, focusing on arresting individuals who break the law and jeopardize the safety and stability of the country.
In operations conducted between March 10 and 14, the agency arrested 81 undocumented immigrants in the state of Kentucky, including citizens from Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, India, and Palau.
Of this group, 25 migrants are accused of criminal offenses such as illegal entry, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal possession of controlled substances, while those without charges will be held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Since his return to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has maintained a tough stance on illegal immigration, as he promised during his electoral campaign. The leader has promoted the largest mass deportation in the country's history.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of the Cuban twins convicted of fraud in California
Why were the Cuban twins sentenced in California?
The Cuban twins Alejandro Muñoz and Abel Peña García were sentenced for their involvement in a fraud scheme that affected payment platforms such as PayPal and Square. Muñoz received a sentence of six years and three months for aggravated identity theft, while Peña García was sentenced to three years and five months for attempted conspiracy. Both will also be required to serve periods of supervised release.
What other crimes were charged against the Cuban twins?
In addition to defrauding payment platforms, the Cuban twins were suspected of defrauding the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The fraud scheme included fraudulent claims targeting online payment systems, which led to their arrest and conviction.
What actions is ICE taking to combat fraud in the United States?
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified its efforts to combat financial fraud and other crimes. The Financial Crimes Task Force of El Camino Real, in collaboration with other agencies, has been instrumental in the investigation and conviction of the Cuban twins. ICE is also conducting operations to apprehend undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
How does the current U.S. immigration policy affect cases of fraud and financial crimes?
With Donald Trump's return to the presidency, U.S. immigration policy has become stricter, focusing on the deportation of illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal backgrounds. This includes cases of fraud and financial crimes, such as that of the Cuban twins, who are being pursued rigorously by the authorities. The administration aims to protect the country's financial infrastructure and ensure national security.
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