24-year-old Chilean national Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje (alias “VAL4K“) has been extradited to the U.S. to face federal charges for operating a massive illegal “carding” marketplace. This marks the first extradition of a Chilean national to the U.S. in over two decades.

Key Allegations

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Valenzuela Monje managed the following between 2021 and 2023:

• The Platforms: He allegedly ran the MacacoCC Collective and Novato Carding channels on Telegram.
• The Goods: The shops sold “dumps” containing names, CVVs, and account numbers for major U.S. credit card brands.
• The Volume: Investigators claim he trafficked data for over 26,000 cards from just one specific brand.

Legal Status

Valenzuela Monje was arraigned in Salt Lake City following his arrival:

• Charges: Trafficking in unauthorized access devices and unlawful transfer of identification.
• Plea: He entered a not guilty plea during his initial appearance.
• Future Dates: A hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2026, as noted by The Register.

The extradition was the result of a long-term investigation by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Chilean authorities.