Orlando Police Arrest 5 Over EBT Card Cloning, Theft Exceeding $5,000

Orlando police have dismantled an organized fraud scheme involving the cloning of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, with authorities accusing five individuals of stealing over $5,000 in public assistance funds. The operation, which targeted low-income families relying on EBT benefits, marks one of the largest fraud cases of its kind in Florida this year, according to law enforcement sources.

The arrests follow a months-long investigation by the Orlando Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit, which identified the suspects—four men and one woman—as part of a coordinated effort to exploit the EBT system. Police confirmed that the group used cloned cards loaded with stolen EBT data to purchase high-value items, including electronics, groceries, and energy drinks, at multiple retail locations across Orange County.

In one incident documented by investigators, two suspects were caught using a cloned EBT card to buy over $6,000 worth of Red Bull at a Sam’s Club in the city’s northern district. While the total losses remain under review, authorities emphasized that the scheme disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations dependent on government assistance for basic needs.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (D) condemned the operation in a statement released Monday, calling it “a direct attack on the dignity of hardworking families who rely on these benefits to put food on the table.” The mayor’s office did not provide further details but directed inquiries to the police department.

Investigators are still determining whether the fraud ring had ties to broader criminal networks, though initial reports suggest the suspects operated independently. The case has drawn comparisons to a 2025 EBT fraud crackdown in Miami, where similar schemes resulted in multiple arrests and legislative calls for stricter oversight of benefit card security.

Florida’s EBT program, administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), serves over 3.5 million recipients statewide, making it a prime target for fraudsters. In response to rising incidents, DCF has accelerated efforts to implement biometric verification for high-value transactions, though no such measures were in place during the Orlando scheme.

Victims of EBT fraud are urged to report suspicious activity to the Florida DCF Fraud Hotline at 1-800-342-3577 or file a complaint online via the Florida DCF website. The Orlando Police Department has not released the names of the accused pending further legal proceedings.