A Las Vegas man has been sentenced to over four years in prison for orchestrating an identity theft scheme aboard a cruise ship. Enrico Ronquillo, 38, admitted to using stolen credit card information to obtain funds from the onboard casino of the Discovery Princess during its voyage to Alaska. Authorities uncovered the fraud in Juneau, where they found counterfeit identity documents and other evidence.
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Details of the Scheme
Ronquillo was sentenced to 53 months in federal prison on June 17 after pleading guilty to charges of false impersonation of a U.S. citizen and aggravated identity theft. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, he used another person’s credit information to defraud the ship’s casino. But court documents reveal that he also owes over $25,000 in restitution to Princess Cruises. But the fraud began when Ronquillo boarded the cruise in Seattle on May 11, 2025, using falsified information. The gig fell apart when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers searched his belongings upon docking in Juneau on May 14, 2025. Still, officers found fake birth certificates and a fraudulent driver’s license, pointing to a known identity theft victim.
Previous Offenses and Arrest Attempts
Ronquillo’s escapades aren’t new. Last year, he was arrested for similar fraudulent activities on another cruise, running up nearly $12,900 in charges using multiple bank cards. Authorities also discovered counterfeit IDs and a credit card skimmer in his possession during that incident. After his recent release on bail, Ronquillo attempted to evade justice by cutting off his ankle monitor and heading to the airport for a flight out of Alaska. Juneau police intercepted him before he could leave. As a Philippine national and lawful U.S. permanent resident, he now faces deportation proceedings upon completing his sentence.
Regulatory Context and Unresolved Issues
This isn’t the first time cruise ships have been targeted for fraud of this kind. The open environment and large transactions through onboard casinos make them susceptible. Ronquillo is among several individuals facing charges for such schemes in recent years. Regulatory bodies are increasingly vigilant, but enforcement remains challenging given the international nature of cruise operations. Authorities have yet to clarify the outcome of Ronquillo’s previous charges from his 2024 arrest. The tangled web of his fraudulent history poses ongoing challenges for both law enforcement and cruise operators. Ronquillo’s case is a stark reminder of the security issues faced by cruise operators. The risk of fraud remains a concern as cruise tourism grows. Now, the focus shifts to his deportation hearings, which are expected to commence once his prison term concludes.
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