A 63-year-old man from Florida has been arrested and jailed for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from retailers by exploiting self-checkout kiosks with a sophisticated ticket switching scam. Luis Felipe Lezcano, aged 63, was apprehended by police in Doral, Florida, after reportedly carrying out this fraudulent activity on numerous occasions.
Details of the Self-Checkout Scam
Lezcano is accused of using a technique known as ticket switching, where he would scan a cheap item while simultaneously moving a more expensive product past the scanner. This created the illusion of a legitimate purchase, allowing him to bypass proper payment for high-value goods. According to authorities, he allegedly executed this scam over 35 times at various retail locations, resulting in significant financial losses for the stores involved.
Police Investigation and Evidence
Surveillance footage from the stores reportedly captured Lezcano in the act, making it easier for investigators to identify and track his activities. Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez highlighted that such clear evidence aids in the swift resolution of such cases. Lezcano was arrested on January 14, 2026, after allegedly committing a similar scam at a nearby Walmart, where he was found with unpaid items in his possession.
Store management confirmed the repeated incidents, noting that the scam had been ongoing for some time before his capture. This case underscores the growing challenges retailers face with self-checkout technology and the need for enhanced security measures to prevent such fraud.
