A 24-year-old Chilean citizen has been extradited to the United States to face federal charges for allegedly operating a sophisticated cybercrime network that trafficked stolen payment card data. The suspect is accused of using various online platforms and messaging channels to sell compromised financial information belonging to thousands of victims.
Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje, known in the digital underground as VAL4K, appeared in a Utah federal court following his arrival from Chile. Prosecutors allege that he managed illicit online storefronts where he distributed sensitive banking credentials for profit. The legal proceedings in the United States follow a lengthy international effort to bring the suspect to justice for his role in global carding operations.
The core of the investigation focuses on Monje's alleged management of Telegram channels named MacacoCC Collective and Novato Carding. Between May 2021 and August 2023, these channels reportedly served as a marketplace for dumps of stolen credit card information. The data packages included everything necessary for fraudulent transactions, such as account numbers, expiration dates, security codes, and the full names of the cardholders.
Authorities claim the scale of the operation was significant, targeting customers of most major financial brands in the United States. In one instance, evidence suggests the suspect possessed data for roughly 26,000 cards from a single brand alone. This massive volume of stolen information allowed the criminal enterprise to impact a wide range of consumers and financial institutions across the country.
The path to the Salt Lake City courtroom was marked by a series of legal challenges and international coordination. Although a grand jury indicted Monje in 2023 and the Chilean Supreme Court approved his extradition in early 2025, various appeals delayed his actual arrest until January 2026. This process highlights the complexities involved in pursuing cybercriminals who operate across international borders.
Following his transfer to US custody on February 25, 2026, Monje was formally arraigned the next day on charges of trafficking in unauthorized access devices and identity theft. During the hearing, he entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. He remains in federal custody as the legal system prepares for a trial that will examine the extensive digital evidence gathered by investigators.
Source: Chilean Carding Shop Operator Extradited To US To Face Cybercrime Charges