USCIS Assists in Investigation of Cuban National Indicted on Charges Related to Credit Card “Skimming” and Lying on a Naturalization Application

ORLANDO, Fla. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced an indictment charging Yunier Perez-Bertemati, 40, with 22 counts of access device fraud, possessing and trafficking in unauthorized device-making equipment, aggravated identity theft, making a false statement on an immigration application, and making a false statement to a federal agent. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

According to the indictment, Perez-Bertemati engaged in a series of transactions between November 2023 and January 2025 where he sold counterfeit credit and debit cards containing stolen victim account information. He also sold “skimming” equipment—devices used to appropriate credit or debit card information when used at a point-of-sale terminal such as a gas pump or ATM.

Further, Perez-Bertemati, a Cuban citizen, recently applied to be a United States citizen but made material misrepresentations on his naturalization application and during an interview with a USCIS officer.

If convicted, Perez-Bertemati faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each of the access device fraud counts, 15 years on the device-making equipment counts, 10 years on the count related to making a false statement on his immigration application, and 5 years on the count related to making a false statement to a federal agent. He also faces a mandatory sentence of 2 years imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts. The indictment also notifies Perez-Bertemati that the United States intends to recover $9,650, which is alleged to be proceeds of the offense.

An indictment is a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Protecting the integrity of the immigration process is a priority for USCIS. To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

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