Indianapolis Man Pleads Guilty to EBT Fraud Scheme

The defendant admitted to using cloned cards to steal over $95,000 in government benefits.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single metallic magnetic swipe track, representing a digital data breach in a crime-focused context. — An Indianapolis man pleaded guilty to a fraud scheme that used cloned EBT cards to steal over $95,000 in government benefits. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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An Indianapolis man has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to a scheme that used more than 150 cloned Electronic Benefit Transfer cards. The operation resulted in the theft of over $95,000 in SNAP benefits from legitimate cardholders.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threat of sophisticated card-cloning technology being used to exploit public assistance programs. The fraud impacted more than 150 individual benefit recipients across multiple states.

Luis Rodolfo Valero Aldana has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy, benefits fraud, and possession of device-making equipment. His co-defendant, Ana Virginia Lopez Macias, faces similar charges with a jury trial currently scheduled for January 4, 2027.

The players

Luis Rodolfo Valero Aldana

He is a 26-year-old Indianapolis resident who reached a plea agreement regarding his role in the EBT card fraud scheme.

Ana Virginia Lopez Macias

The 29-year-old Indianapolis resident is a co-defendant in the case and faces trial for her alleged involvement in the fraudulent operation.

The details

The defendants utilized stolen data and an MSR605X 3-Track Card Encoder to manufacture cloned EBT cards, which were then used to purchase merchandise at Sam's Club locations. The acquired goods were subsequently sold to small businesses in exchange for cash or checks.

The alleged conspiracy operated between December 1, 2024, and December 2025.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence of Valero Aldana on February 5, 2026.
A jury trial for co-defendant Ana Virginia Lopez Macias is set to begin on January 4, 2027.

Legal Context

This criminal activity highlights the ongoing challenges federal agencies face in protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from digital exploitation. Recent investigative trends show an increase in the use of specialized hardware to target electronic benefit systems.

Local residents should remain vigilant regarding their EBT account activity, as the scheme affected victims across multiple states. Authorities may issue further guidance on securing benefits against unauthorized cloning following the conclusion of these legal proceedings.

The takeaway

Maintaining the privacy of EBT card data is essential to preventing the theft of public benefits. Residents are encouraged to monitor their account balances regularly and report any suspicious transaction activity to the appropriate program administrators.