Charges Against Four California Men in Resale Scheme

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and State Police charged four California men with corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, and identity theft. The defendants allegedly purchased stolen credit card information from the dark web, used it to buy event tickets and merchandise, then resold items via Instagram, causing an estimated $2 million in losses to financial institutions.

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What changed

Pennsylvania Attorney General and State Police filed criminal charges against Andres Ramirez, Andres Maravilla, Jesus Maravilla, and David Santoyo for corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, identity theft, and related charges. The investigation revealed the defendants purchased stolen credit card information from the dark web—including information from 17 Pennsylvanians—then used it to purchase event tickets and items online for resale. David Santoyo reportedly charged $500 to teach others his scheme, referred to as 'The Method.' Estimated losses to financial institutions total nearly $2 million.

Pennsylvania State Police will arrange extradition to Somerset County, where the case will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General's Financial Crimes Section. Defendants should be aware that all charges are allegations until proven guilty. Financial institutions and consumers should remain vigilant for unauthorized transactions and consider reviewing fraud protection measures.

Source document (simplified)

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Pennsylvania State Police announced charges against four California men accused of using stolen credit card information – including from 17 Pennsylvanians – in a criminal scheme to buy tickets and other items online, which were then resold at a discount.

Andres Ramirez, Andres Maravilla, Jesus Maravilla and David Santoyo each are charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, identity theft and related charges.

“These defendants utilized the dark web to steal credit card information from unsuspecting Pennsylvanians, then used that information to make purchases,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Even if you are across the country, we will investigate conduct resulting in harm to Pennsylvanians. I applaud the Pennsylvania State Police for the collaboration in navigating this cycle of complex financial crimes.”

The investigation revealed that the four men purchased stolen credit card information off the dark web, then used it to buy event tickets and items online. They then used Instagram to resell those tickets and items.

Members of the group referred to the scheme as “The Method,” and Santoyo charged $500 to teach it to others.

Because banks and credit card companies often denied the new purchases before the money was withdrawn from customers’ accounts, the estimated loss to the financial institutions is nearly $2 million.

The Office of Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police are in the process of arranging the defendants’ extradition to Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Police filed charges against the men. Upon extradition to Somerset County, the case will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.