Chilean National Extradited to U.S. in Alleged Carding Scheme
Summary
Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje, known as VAL4K, was extradited from Chile and arraigned in the U.S. He pleaded not guilty to charges tied to allegedly selling more than 26,000 payment card records through Telegram channels.
Key points
- U.S. authorities say Valenzuela Monje was extradited from Chile on February 25, 2026, and arraigned in Salt Lake City.
- The indictment alleges he operated the Telegram channels MacacoCC Collective and Novato Carding from May 2021 to August 2023.
- Court documents allege the channels distributed information linked to about 26,528 cards under one card brand.
- The allegedly trafficked data included account numbers, cardholder names, expiration dates, and CVVs.
- The FBI investigated with international partners; Valenzuela Monje pleaded not guilty.
Article Details
- Event Type
- International law enforcement action: a Chilean national was extradited to the United States and arraigned over alleged trafficking of stolen payment card data through Telegram channels.
- Impact
- Court documents allege that the channels distributed data associated with approximately 26,528 payment cards, including account numbers, cardholder names, expiration dates, and CVV codes. The information could enable fraudulent transactions and identity-based financial crime; the article reports no confirmed financial losses.
People
Melissa HolyoakU.S. Attorney for the District of Utah; commented on investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of cybercrimes targeting Americans.Robert BohlsSpecial Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City FBI; commented on the extradition and the FBI's international partnerships in targeting cyber threats.
Threat Actors
Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela MonjeThe indictment alleges he operated an illegal online card shop and Telegram channels that distributed stolen payment card data. He pleaded not guilty.VAL4KThe article identifies VAL4K as an alias of Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje, who is alleged to have operated channels distributing stolen payment card data. He pleaded not guilty.
Products
Countries
ChileAlex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje (aka VAL4K) was extradited from Chile to the U.S.United StatesA Chilean national, Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje (aka VAL4K), was extradited to the United States and arraigned on charges alleging he ran Telegram-based carding channels that sold tens of thousands of stolen payment