A 47-year-old man named Eduardo Rodríguez has been taken into custody in Miami, accused of orchestrating a complicated fraud scheme that defrauded TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores of over $128,000. Rodríguez, whose nationality remains undisclosed, faces charges of grand theft and attempting an organized scheme to defraud, according to local police records.
Complex Fraud Operation Unveiled
The investigation into Rodríguez dates back to at least 2023, when a TJX Companies investigator, the parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, noticed a suspicious pattern: several credit card refunds exceeded the original purchase amounts. Rodríguez systematically made online purchases—mainly shoes or boots—and then returned these items in-store.
This process generated price tags without descriptions, a tactic crucial for concealing the returns. Subsequently, Rodríguez would repurchase the item and return it to another store, exchanging it for a cheaper product to gain credit for the more expensive item. To maintain the ruse, he reused the same receipts across various stores.
According to NBC Miami, the arrest report reveals that Rodríguez used 18 credit cards and 11 gift cards, all registered under his name and address, to carry out his operations.
Overcoming Barriers and Expanding the Fraud
In January 2024, TJX blocked Rodríguez’s address to prevent further online purchases, but he circumvented this by using different profiles and two new addresses. He even involved his wife and son in fraudulent returns, extending the operation to stores throughout Miami-Dade County and other areas of Florida. The company responded with countermeasures: starting in November, a loss prevention specialist began marking items sent to Rodríguez with invisible ink. Of the 56 marked orders, many resurfaced in different stores, confirming the fraud's continuation.
The arrest report shows that between December 2022 and July 2025, Rodríguez and his family made at least 1,467 fraudulent returns totaling $288,104, and sold 744 illicitly obtained items for $232,400.80. TJX's total losses are estimated at $128,018 from 985 fraudulent transactions recorded between January 2024 and July 2025. The products were not only resold online and to neighbors but also at a physical location—his own business at the Redland Market Village in Homestead.
Details of the Arrest
Rodríguez was apprehended on Tuesday, July 29, while attempting another fraudulent return at a TJ Maxx in Cutler Bay. At the time of his arrest, he was returning four pairs of Timberland boots valued at $278.16. Officers found several pairs of shoes and numerous receipts in his vehicle; at his home and business, they discovered TJX items allegedly returned fraudulently.
Following his arrest, Rodríguez appeared before a judge, who set his bail at $40,000 and issued an order prohibiting him from entering any TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores in Miami-Dade County. A spokesperson for TJX Companies commented on the arrest: “We are aware of the recent arrest and appreciate the support from the Sheriff’s Office and the Miami-Dade Police Department. As this is an ongoing investigation, out of respect, we will leave further comments to the authorities.”
This case highlights the vulnerabilities that still exist within the return systems of major retail chains, especially when these processes can be exploited across physical stores and online platforms.
Understanding Fraud Schemes in Retail
How did Eduardo Rodríguez execute his fraud scheme?
Rodríguez executed his scheme by purchasing items online and returning them in-store, creating deceptive price tags without descriptions. He then repurchased these items and returned them at different locations for more expensive credits, using the same receipts at various stores.
What actions did TJX Companies take to counteract the fraud?
TJX Companies blocked Rodríguez's address for online purchases and used a loss prevention specialist to mark items with invisible ink. This helped trace fraudulent activities across different stores.