New York Man Sentenced To 5 Years In Federal Prison For Credit Card Fraud

Orlando, Florida - Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell yesterday sentenced Werawat Isaraphanich (38, Bronx, New York) to 5 years in federal prison for access device fraud. Isaraphanich was also ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his incarceration, and to pay more than $323,000 to the victims of his crime. Isaraphanich also agreed to forfeit over $176,000, currently being held in two accounts, which will be returned to the victims as partial payment towards restitution. 

Isaraphanich pleaded guilty on September 18, 2013. 

According to court documents, Isaraphanich used stolen credit card numbers to purchase tickets from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, StubHub, and Ticket Master, which he then sold at a discount. To purchase the tickets and other items, Isaraphanich used software that generated a fictitious caller ID, which allowed him to mask the telephone number that he was using when he called to make the purchases. Between April 2010 and June 2013, Isaraphanich made approximately 1,800 calls using fictitious caller IDs, and used more than 100 stolen credit card numbers to make fraudulent purchases of theme park tickets, concert tickets, sporting event tickets, airline tickets, and products from Apple and Macy’s. As part of his scheme, Isaraphanich attempted over $1.1 million in fraudulent credit card transactions, with victims suffering more than $323,000 in actual losses. 

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.