Man Arrested at Florida Inspection Station for Trailer VIN Fraud and Credit Card Crimes

Routine agricultural inspection uncovers tools for credit card fraud and a tampered trailer VIN.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Officers at an agricultural inspection station in Florida arrested a 41-year-old man from Miami on felony charges after a routine inspection revealed a tampered trailer Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the discovery of tools for credit card fraud, including a card reader/encoder, suspected fraudulent credit cards, phones, and a laptop.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of routine inspections and vigilance in uncovering broader criminal activity, as what started as a simple VIN discrepancy led to the discovery of a larger fraud operation. It also underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating credit card fraud and related financial crimes.

The details

On February 20, agents with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) conducted a routine inspection on a Volvo tractor pulling what appeared to be a 2009 utility refrigerated trailer. Upon closer examination, the trailer was actually a 2022 model with a swapped Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A subsequent vehicle inventory uncovered several incriminating items, including a card reader/encoder, multiple suspected fraudulent credit cards, three iPhones, a laptop, and a tube of sealant used to alter credit cards.

  • On February 20, 2026, OALE agents conducted the routine inspection.

The players

Miguel Perez Bacallao

A 41-year-old man from Miami, Florida who was arrested and booked into Hamilton County Jail on felony charges.

Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE)

A Florida state agency that investigates crimes involving agriculture and those occurring on property owned or operated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

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What they’re saying

“Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the trailer was actually a 2022 model with a swapped Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The trailer, valued at approximately $65,000, had been tampered with, and its true ownership remains under investigation.”

— OALE (cdllife.com)

“A vehicle inventory uncovered several incriminating items, including a card reader/encoder, multiple suspected fraudulent credit cards, three iPhones, a laptop, and a tube of sealant used to alter credit cards.”

— OALE (cdllife.com)

What’s next

The investigation into the ownership and origin of the tampered trailer is ongoing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of vigilant inspections and the ability of law enforcement to uncover broader criminal activity, even when starting with a seemingly minor discrepancy. It also underscores the ongoing challenges in combating sophisticated financial crimes like credit card fraud.