'Cyber Grave Robbers' Stole IDs From Surfside Victims: Rundle

Miami FL

09 September, 2021

3:35 PM

Description

SURFSIDE, FL — Several suspects have been charged with stealing the identities of victims killed in the Surfside condo collapse in June. In July, local officials announced that hackers had stolen the identities of those who died when the Champlain Towers South condo tragically and unexpectedly came down, killing nearly 100 people. Bettsy Alejandra Cacho-Medina, Kimberly Michelle Johnson and Rodney Choute were arrested and face federal charges, State Attorney Kathy Fernandez Rundle tweeted Thursday morning. "These cyber grave robbers moved quickly to grab what they could from deceased victims while their families & friends were in complete emotional turmoil, only 16 days after (the Surfside condo collapse," the state attorney tweeted. Cacho-Medina was charged with three counts of identity fraud, two counts of use of a counterfeit or fictitious ID, organized scheme to defraud $20,000 to $50,000, identity fraud more than $50,000, identity fraud more than $5,000, trafficking in credit cards between five to 14 cards, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of a counterfeit or fictitious driver's license. Johnson was charged with two counts of use of a counterfeit or fictitious ID, organized scheme to defraud from $20,000 to $50,000, identity fraud more than $5,000, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of a counterfeit or fictitious driver's license. Choute was charged with organized scheme to defraud from $20,000 to $50,000, identity fraud, use of a counterfeit or fictitious ID, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of a counterfeit or fictitious driver's license. A fourth suspect, Nelson Garcia-Medina, was later arrested and also faces multiple charges, WSVN reported. These cyber-grave robbers moved quickly to grab what they could from deceased victims while their families & friends were in complete emotional turmoil, only 16 days after #Surfsidecollapse. Arrested are Betsy Alejandra Cacho Medina, Kimberly Michelle Johnson & Rodney Choute. pic.twitter.com/aQ8aKeBiPA— Kathy Rundle (@KathyFndzRundle) September 9, 2021 "To think that after only 16 days after this horrific event, there were criminals already planning on how they would access the victims' bank accounts to enrich their own pockets. Their acts are despicable and shameful," Rundle wrote on the state attorney's office Facebook page.