Man Sentenced to Over Three Years for Debit Card Fraud in Costa Rica
A Pérez Zeledón man received a three-year prison sentence for unlawfully using a stolen debit card to purchase meals.
A man in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica, has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison for the theft and fraudulent use of a debit card.
The court found that the man, identified by the surname Castillo, unlawfully acquired the debit card belonging to a woman named Cristina Solis.
The incident occurred on the evening of March 5, 2025. According to judicial authorities, Castillo came into possession of the debit card shortly after Solis had used it to make a purchase at a food establishment in the center of Pérez Zeledón.
After obtaining the card, Castillo proceeded to another restaurant in the area where he exploited the stolen card's information to place three separate food orders.
The court reported that he manipulated the touchscreen payment system to facilitate these transactions.
However, restaurant staff recognized Castillo as he had been observed roaming the premises soliciting food from other customers, prompting them to alert law enforcement authorities.
Upon arrival, police authorities requested the debit card from Castillo.
Discrepancies between the cardholder details and Castillo's identification raised suspicions, leading police to contact Solis for verification.
Consequently, Castillo was arrested on the spot.
He is currently serving a preventive detention period until the sentence is finalized.
The court found that the man, identified by the surname Castillo, unlawfully acquired the debit card belonging to a woman named Cristina Solis.
The incident occurred on the evening of March 5, 2025. According to judicial authorities, Castillo came into possession of the debit card shortly after Solis had used it to make a purchase at a food establishment in the center of Pérez Zeledón.
After obtaining the card, Castillo proceeded to another restaurant in the area where he exploited the stolen card's information to place three separate food orders.
The court reported that he manipulated the touchscreen payment system to facilitate these transactions.
However, restaurant staff recognized Castillo as he had been observed roaming the premises soliciting food from other customers, prompting them to alert law enforcement authorities.
Upon arrival, police authorities requested the debit card from Castillo.
Discrepancies between the cardholder details and Castillo's identification raised suspicions, leading police to contact Solis for verification.
Consequently, Castillo was arrested on the spot.
He is currently serving a preventive detention period until the sentence is finalized.
