In a recent crackdown on cybercrime, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., has revealed the indictments of an alleged SIM-swapping identity theft ring that comprised individuals, including AT&T and T-Mobile employees. As reported by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the group is accused of orchestrating a plot that led to the theft of $435,000 from victims in Manhattan through deft manipulation of cellphone account information.
The prosecution has identified Devin Lopez-Dominguez, Brian Cortorreal, and Kilsis Delacruz as alleged ringleaders in the operation. These individuals are now facing serious charges including Money Laundering in the Second Degree and multiple counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, among others. The method in question—SIM swapping—allows scammers to transfer a victim's phone number over to a device they control, effectively to circumvent security measures and hijack the victim's personal accounts.
According to documented court proceedings, this conspiracy notably spanned from October 2021 to July 2022, involving unauthorized access and manipulation of victims' cell phone numbers. Lopez-Dominguez and Cortorreal are said to have directed the SIM swaps, while Delacruz allegedly handled the financial aspects, compensating co-conspirators who facilitated the swaps. The operation not only resulted in financial losses for the victims but also posed a significant breach of privacy and trust, given the involvement of certain employees within telecom companies.
Retail workers at mobile carrier stores were allegedly implicated in the scheme, working from within to exploit their positions and access sensitive customer data. Jadakiss Bonilla, Kendrah Vasquez, Amanda Rodado, and Jared Moreland, among those named, are believed to have used their inside access to facilitate the unauthorized SIM swaps. At times, they allegedly attempted to hide their activity by utilizing co-worker credentials. District Attorney Bragg underscored the need for continued vigilance among New Yorkers, recommending those affected to swiftly contact their providers using official channels if suspicious activities like unsolicited SIM card activations occur.
The case is being spearheaded by Assistant D.A. Bridget Stubblefield and her team, under the guidance of higher-up members from the Cyber Crime Bureau and the Investigation Division. D.A. Bragg expressed gratitude for the significant contributions made by various members of the NYPD, highlighting Detective Michael Bia and his colleagues within the Cyber Squad and Grand Larceny Division for their crucial roles in this intricate investigation.
