Much of the identity theft activity -- initiated from computers in Colombia -- targeted individuals residing in the U.S., including Department of Defense personnel. Simbaqueba Bonilla used the money to buy expensive electronics and luxury travel and accommodations in various countries, including Hong Kong, Turks and Caicos, France, Jamaica, Italy, Chile, and the United States.
"Cyber crimes and identity theft crimes such as these victimize our citizens and plague our economy," said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division. "The Justice Department is committed to making sure that the Internet does not allow identity thieves to cloak themselves in a shroud of anonymity."
Simbaqueba Bonilla's conspiracy began with illegally installing keystroke logging software on computers located in hotel business centers and Internet lounges around the world. This software would collect the personal information of those who used the computers, including passwords and other personal identifying information the victims used to access their bank, payroll, brokerage and other accounts online.
He used the data he intercepted from his victims, who were typically guests at hotels throughout the country, to steal or divert money from their accounts into other accounts he had created in the names of other people he had victimized in the same way. Then, through a complex series of electronic transactions designed to cover his trail, Simbaqueba Bonilla would transfer the stolen money to credit, cash or debit cards and have the cards mailed to himself and others at commercial mailing addresses he opened across the country.
Federal agents arrested Simbaqueba Bonilla when he flew into the United States last August. At the time of his arrest, he was flying on an airline ticket purchased with stolen funds and had in his possession a laptop also purchased with stolen funds. That laptop contained the names, passwords, and other personal and financial information of more than 600 people.
"Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case," said R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney for the SDFL. "The Internet is an outstanding tool, but it is vulnerable. Criminals like Bonilla use the Internet to steal our banking and personal data, and then our money. When you travel, please think twice before entering personal or financial data on a public computer."
