A fuel fraud scheme that stretched across the Inland Empire came to a hard stop Thursday, when officers arrested a San Bernardino man at a Colton gas station and said they found more than 80 bogus fuel access cards on him. Police also seized a van they say was tweaked to haul a whole lot more gas than a normal fill-up and discovered a skimming device on one of the pumps, prompting a fresh warning for drivers to watch card readers before they pay.
Arrest, Cards, and Seized Vehicle
According to NBC Los Angeles, Chino police said the suspect was taken into custody at a Colton station and was carrying more than 80 fraudulent access cards. The department told reporters the van seized as evidence had been modified to store extra fuel, and detectives believe the bust is linked to multiple fuel-card fraud incidents at stations across the region. NBC Los Angeles reports that investigators are still working to map out the full reach of the scheme.
Police Shared Video Of The Stop
Chino police pushed their investigation into the public eye by posting surveillance stills and body-camera footage on social media that show the suspect’s van at a Colton pump and officers moving in for the arrest, according to AOL. That reporting also notes investigators found a skimming device attached to one of the pumps and urged customers to use pumps closest to the storefront and to report anything that looks off. The online posts, AOL adds, were meant to help stations and drivers spot tampering early and preserve evidence for investigators.
How Skimmers Work And How To Protect Yourself
The FBI warns that skimmers can be hidden inside fuel pumps, silently grabbing card data that can later be downloaded or transmitted wirelessly, which makes them tough to spot at a glance. The bureau recommends picking pumps in clear view of the attendant, running a debit card as credit when possible, paying inside or using contactless payments, and reporting suspected skimmers to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Those habits, federal officials say, can cut the chances that a stolen card number is turned into a stack of fake access cards like the ones seized in this case.
What Investigators Say Comes Next
Police have not released the suspect’s name or any charging details, and they say the investigation is still active, according to the news reports. As NBC Los Angeles notes, authorities are urging gas-station owners to inspect security seals and review surveillance footage while the probe continues. Anyone who notices pump tampering or has information tied to the scheme is asked to contact local law enforcement.
