Twin Cities Woman Worked As 'Black-Market Travel Agent': Feds

BROOKLYN CENTER, MN — A 23-year-old Brooklyn Center woman has pleaded guilty in a black-market travel scam that involved using stolen credit card information from more than 200 victims, federal officials announced.

Reginae Calhoun admitted in court that she bought the stolen data on the dark web and used it to operate as a "black-market travel agent," charging customers a fraction of the real cost for hotel rooms, rental cars, and even flights.

Calhoun pleaded guilty on May 19 to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft in front of Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.

According to federal prosecutors:

• Calhoun operated the fraud scheme between April and June 2024
• She purchased credit card info for at least 216 victims, including names, numbers, and CVV codes
• Victims’ financial data was used to book travel for paying clients
• Calhoun’s customers paid her via cash or apps
• On June 2, 2024, she attempted to buy airline tickets using multiple cards, prompting a fraud alert from the airline
• MSP Airport police contacted the cardholders, who confirmed they had not authorized the charges

"The ingenuity of Minnesota’s fraudsters seems to know no bounds," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. "Calhoun stole hundreds of victim identities and used them to conduct a black-market travel agent fraud scheme—stealing from others to enrich herself. She will now be held accountable in federal court."

"Criminals who turn to the dark web to buy and sell stolen information are part of a growing threat to our digital security," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI-Minneapolis district. "This defendant built a business by exploiting the stolen identities and financial information of over 200 innocent victims. The anonymity of the internet does not protect offenders from detection. The FBI and our partners will continue to find and expose these schemes and hold offenders accountable."

The FBI and MSP Airport Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Murphy is prosecuting.