Two more suspects charged in Manchester card skimming scheme

 

Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with an ongoing probe into a card skimming and cryptocurrency laundering ring operating in Manchester.

 

Those charged our 25-year-old Alrick Bruce, a fast-food restaurant employee and 23-year-old sales representative

Shanae Smith from Highway Drive in Manchester. 

 

Detectives from the Fraud Squad and Financial Crime Investigation Division of the Specialised Investigation Branch made the arrests on Monday. 

 

Reports indicate that between June 2025 and January 2026, Bruce allegedly compromised several customers' card information while working at a restaurant drive-thru. He allegedly used the stolen data to purchase Bitcoin and then transferred the funds, approximately $1.5 million, to a bank account owned by Smith. 

 

Their arrests follow the initial apprehension of three fast-food employees on February 14, where unauthorised transactions totalling over $600,000 were reported. 

 

Two firearms and five rounds of ammunition were also seized during simultaneous operations in Maverley, St. Andrew and Mandeville, Manchester.