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What began as a short cruise vacation ended in handcuffs for two passengers disembarking at PortMiami.
Authorities say the couple — along with a third accomplice — had been running an $18,000 gift card fraud scheme that even funded their Carnival cruise.
Fraud-Fueled Cruise Vacation
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office:
- Rogerio da Cunha Fernandes (45) and Aida Parada la Paz (43) used fraudulently obtained gift cards to pay for their Carnival cruise.
- A third suspect, Beatriz Paz-Roca (66), was also arrested.
- Together, the three are accused of profiting nearly $30,000 across 200+ fraudulent transactions.
Investigators say the scheme involved using an altered Bolivian bank card to purchase gift cards at local retailers, including Winn-Dixie.
These cards were then used to buy goods or cover travel costs — in this case, a cruise vacation.
How the Scam Worked
- The suspects purchased Winn-Dixie gift cards with the tampered bank card.
- Those cards were later used to fund cruise fares and buy luxury items.
- Retailers impacted include Apple, Amazon, Macy’s, and T.J. Maxx.
The three lived at the same Miami-area address, suggesting a coordinated operation.
Arrest at PortMiami
When the group returned from their sailing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted a targeted search.
CBP agents recovered:
- The altered bank card
- A stash of fraudulently purchased gift cards
All three suspects were arrested immediately at the terminal.
How CBP Screenings Work at PortMiami
PortMiami is the largest cruise port in the world, handling millions of passengers each year.
Because of that, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plays a critical role in keeping the port safe and secure.
What CBP Screens For
When passengers disembark a cruise ship, CBP officers may conduct targeted checks for:
- Fraudulent documents or payment methods (like altered credit or bank cards)
- Smuggling attempts (drugs, weapons, restricted items)
- Unpaid duties on high-value goods purchased abroad
- Immigration violations (expired visas, inadmissible status)
- Outstanding arrest warrants linked to travelers
Why Some Passengers Are Flagged
Not every guest is searched — CBP uses a mix of intelligence reports, suspicious behavior cues, and random screening.
In the Carnival case, agents were already tipped off about fraudulent activity, which led to the search.
What Happens If Something’s Found
If officers uncover evidence of fraud or smuggling:
- Passengers are detained on the spot
- Items (like fake bank cards, counterfeit documents, or contraband) are confiscated
- Local law enforcement (such as Miami-Dade Police) is brought in for criminal charges
Legal Fallout
- Each now faces grand theft and organized fraud charges.
- Da Cunha Fernandes (Brazilian) and Parada la Paz (Bolivian) were both held on $10,000 bond with immigration holds placed against them.
- All three were booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami.
A Reminder for the Cruise Industry
While unusual, this case underscores the unique role PortMiami plays as both a tourism hub and law enforcement checkpoint.
With millions of passengers flowing through every year, the port is often the final stop for authorities tracking fraud, smuggling, or other crimes.
Quick Facts: PortMiami Gift Card Scam ✅
- Arrest Date: Upon disembarkation, August 2025
- Suspects: 3 (ages 43, 45, 66)
- Fraud Value: ~$30,000 total, $18K tied to the cruise couple
- Method: Altered bank card used to buy gift cards → cruises & luxury goods
- Arresting Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection at PortMiami
- Charges: Grand theft + organized scheme to defraud
⚓ Final Thought: For most passengers, PortMiami is where vacation memories end. For these three, it became the starting point of a criminal case that shows how fraud can follow you — even to sea.
