Two people are now behind bars in Hernando County, facing multiple fraud and drug charges in connection with a massive credit card fraud scheme.

  • Jeansy Cuevas-Padron, Marileisys Rodriguez Serra arrested Oct. 15
  • Detectives found marijuana plants at suspects' home
  • Items used to create fake credit cards also found at home

Jeansy Cuevas-Padron and Marileisys Rodriguez Serra have been booked into the Hernando County Jail.

A detective with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said this is one of the largest credit card schemes she's seen here in the county in the 18 years she's been with the department.

This all started with an investigation into a fraudulent return refund case, but detectives soon learn there was much more going on behind closed doors.

On Sunday, detectives arrested Cuevas-Padron and Serra for fraudulent credit card charges at a Bed Bath and Beyond retail location. When detectives arrived at their Spring Hill home, they discovered the two were growing marijuana at the location.

On Monday, they came back with a search warrant for the drugs. During their search they found dozens of items used to make fake credit cards, as well as skimmer devices used to capture people's credit card information.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis said while it's still very early on in the investigation, this couple's actions could have affected hundreds of people.

"Although we have a few credit card victims initially, we think we're going to find as we look more into the electronic records we're probably going to find dozens if not hundreds or more victims who have had their credit card information stolen," Nienhuis explained.

Nienhuis did say they have not ruled out the possibility that other people could be involved in this crime.

In order to find out if your credit card information has been stolen, Sheriff Nienhuis encourages residents to keep up with their transactions and use reputable credit card companies.