Orlando police say a stash of energy drinks and coffee helped them crack what they describe as a small but organized EBT skimming crew that quietly drained benefits from dozens of local families.
According to arrest affidavits obtained by WESH, five people were arrested after detectives tied them to a run of suspicious Electronic Benefit Transfer purchases across the city. Investigators documented 37 incidents inside Orlando from October 2025 through April 2026 and say at least 29 victims had their EBT accounts allegedly wiped out.
Affidavits accuse the group of using cloned or fake EBT cards to buy cases of energy drinks, coffee, and other merchandise, then stashing the haul in storage units before moving it to a warehouse for resale. Police estimate more than $5,000 in benefits were stolen. The documents list the suspects as Carlos Ruben Gomez‑Jimenez, Maite Lazara Mesa‑Labrada, Carlos Luis Diaz‑Jimenez, Enrique Gonzalez, and Luis Gonzalez Dominguez. They face charges that include racketeering, criminal use of personal identification information, and public assistance fraud.
How Investigators Say the Scam Worked
Detectives allege the crew used skimming devices to capture card data, then copied that information onto counterfeit EBT cards. According to the affidavits, the group would first run small test purchases at Wawa locations to see whether an account was active, then move on to larger buys once they knew the benefits were there.
The arrest paperwork states that "the merchandise was stashed in several storage units before being transported to a food and beverage warehouse," where it could be flipped for profit. Investigators describe Carlos Ruben Gomez‑Jimenez as the "primary offender" in the operation and accuse him of carrying out 36 fraudulent EBT transactions during the probe, according to WESH.
Victims and Where to Get Help
For many victims, the first sign that anything is wrong comes when they are standing at the grocery checkout, and their card suddenly gets declined. The Florida Department of Children and Families advises that anyone who suspects fraudulent EBT activity file a statement of loss within 90 days.
Once a claim is submitted, the agency cancels the compromised card and mails a replacement, and reviews are typically wrapped within 10 business days. The department also points to an account tool called "Protect My Account," which lets cardholders temporarily suspend a card or block out‑of‑state and online transactions while a claim is being checked out. The department provides an email address where suspected fraud can be reported. Florida Department of Children and Families
Statewide Enforcement, Local Impact
State officials say the Orlando case is part of a broader push to crack down on benefit trafficking and merchant fraud throughout Florida. The Florida Chief Financial Officer's office recently announced an arrest in a separate public assistance fraud investigation tied to more than $2.8 million in alleged losses, underscoring that investigators are targeting networks that convert SNAP and EBT benefits into resale inventory. Florida Department of Financial Services
Orlando police say their investigation remains active. Anyone who believes their EBT benefits have been stolen is urged to check their account, consider using the Protect My Account feature, and report suspected fraud to [email protected]. More information on reporting requirements and timelines is available from the Florida Department of Children and Families.
