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The Lawrence Township Police Department recently made a significant recovery of 223 SpaceX Starlink Terminals that were allegedly purchased using stolen credit card numbers. This recovery was part of a larger investigation into a New Jersey man who was arrested for trafficking 675 Starlink terminals purchased through fraudulent means. The man, identified as 35-year-old Kelvin Rodriguez-Moya, was stopped by police while driving the terminals in a pickup truck and trailer. The investigation revealed that the total value of the fraudulently purchased terminals amounted to approximately $400,000.
Rodriguez-Moya’s arrest was the result of a three-month-long investigation by the Lawrence Township Police Department. The police had received a tip about a suspiciously large number of Starlink terminals being shipped to a particular address in Lawrence Township. Detectives observed Rodriguez-Moya loading a FedEx shipment of terminals onto his vehicle, which led to his apprehension. During questioning, Rodriguez-Moya confessed that he had been paid $300 to transport the terminals to Newark for resale.
The seizure of the Starlink terminals was described as SpaceX’s “largest fraud recovery to date by an order of magnitude” by Bennett Woo, SpaceX’s director of payment risk and fraud. Lieutenant Kevin Reading of the Lawrence Township Police confirmed that the investigation into the trafficking of the terminals was ongoing. The police are collaborating with SpaceX to determine how the terminals were fraudulently purchased.
Starlink terminals provide customers with high-speed internet access through SpaceX’s satellite constellation. These terminals have garnered significant interest from various organizations, including military and government entities worldwide. However, the potential misuse of these terminals was highlighted when Ukraine’s primary intelligence agency accused Russian military forces of using Starlink terminals in territories occupied by them. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk denied selling Starlink terminals to Russia and stated that the company was not aware of any indirect sales to the nation.
Kelvin Rodriguez-Moya was arrested on charges of second-degree receiving stolen property and second-degree trafficking stolen property. He is currently detained at the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday in county court. In a recorded interview with the police, Rodriguez-Moya admitted to his involvement in receiving and transporting the fraudulently obtained Starlink terminals since November. He mentioned coming into contact with an individual named ‘Alberto’ through mutual friends, who suggested the address for the shipment.
The incident involving the fraudulent purchase and trafficking of SpaceX Starlink terminals sheds light on the potential risks associated with the misuse of advanced technology. The recovery of the terminals by law enforcement authorities underscores the importance of vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and technology companies to prevent such criminal activities. The ongoing investigation into the trafficking of the terminals highlights the complexities involved in tracking and prosecuting individuals involved in fraudulent schemes.
As SpaceX continues to expand its satellite internet services through the Starlink program, ensuring the security and integrity of the terminals and preventing unauthorized access and misuse will be paramount. The collaboration between SpaceX and law enforcement agencies in identifying and apprehending individuals engaged in fraudulent activities demonstrates a united effort to safeguard the company’s assets and protect customers’ interests.
In conclusion, the recovery of the fraudulently purchased Starlink terminals and the arrest of Kelvin Rodriguez-Moya serve as a reminder of the challenges posed by cybercrime and the importance of robust security measures in the digital age. The incident also highlights the need for ongoing collaboration between technology companies and law enforcement agencies to combat fraud and protect valuable assets. SpaceX’s proactive stance in addressing this issue and working closely with authorities is commendable and underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining trust and integrity in its operations.
