Prosecutors have called for a minimum three-year prison sentence for Luca Bandeira, 22, a Brazilian national, who admitted to money laundering related to a credit card scam.
Appearing before Puisne Judge Juan Wolfe in the Supreme Court, Bandeira pleaded guilty in the to possessing $66,080 in criminal funds, fake credit cards, and equipment used to create them on June 24 last year. He also admitted attempting to steal from delivery services Sargasso and Pronto, and stealing from these businesses between July 1 and 10.
Police arrested Bandeira after reports of suspicious activity at HSBC ATMs led to a search of his residence on Bermuda, where authorities found more than sixty thousand dollars in Bermuda currency, gift cards, HSBC receipts, and card-reading equipment. The court heard the equipment was used to attach bank details to gift cards for cash withdrawals.
Bandeira was released on bail but was re-arrested on July 10 following reports of suspicious purchases from local delivery services. The Crown requested a three-year sentence for the five charges, along with forfeiture of the cash, equipment, and a Rolex watch.
Defense lawyer Victoria Greening said Bandeira came to Bermuda from Brazil intending a short stay but decided to extend his visit to enroll in school, needing at least $20,000. She argued he was “in survival mode” and remorseful. She suggested a sentence of two years and three months, accounting for time served.
Bandeira apologized in court, expressing regret for his actions and highlighting the impact on his daughter, who has been without her father for a year, “I am in prison and my daughter is in Brazil. My daughter is now in the same situation because of my actions.”
Mr. Justice Wolffe reserved judgment, with sentencing scheduled for Thursday morning.
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