Authorities Uncover Sophisticated Operation Involving Counterfeit Cards and Concealed Fuel Tank
SPRING HILL, Fla.– A Spring Hill man, Rafael Cruz-Arencibia, has been arrested in connection with an extensive and ongoing credit card fraud and large-scale fuel theft operation that has been impacting local businesses.
The arrest was made by detectives from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office on July 23, 2025.
Cruz-Arencibia faces a litany of charges, including Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information. Detectives determined he was actively using counterfeit credit cards – primarily re-encoded gift cards loaded with stolen banking information – to unlawfully purchase large quantities of diesel fuel from various local fueling stations.
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The investigation escalated following Cruz-Arencibia’s initial arrest on July 11, 2025, on multiple fraud charges. As part of their ongoing efforts, detectives executed a search warrant on his vehicle, a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta.
The search of the vehicle yielded alarming discoveries. Detectives located additional counterfeit credit cards and, more notably, uncovered a sophisticated, permanently installed fuel tank concealed within the vehicle’s trunk. This clandestine tank boasted a capacity of nearly 70 gallons, dwarfing the standard 14.5-gallon factory tank typically found in that model of Jetta.
Further investigation revealed that Cruz-Arencibia had rigged a selector switch, allowing him to discreetly transfer fuel from the factory tank to the concealed tank without needing to remove the nozzle from the pump. This elaborate setup enabled him to draw substantial amounts of fuel without arousing suspicion from station attendants or security.
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As a direct result of these additional findings, Cruz-Arencibia has been hit with further charges, including Trafficking in or Possession of Counterfeit Credit Cards and Unlawful Conveyance of Fuel.
He was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center, where he is currently being held without bond.
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